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SA sugar sector stakeholders seek urgent dialogue with Finance Minister ahead of budget statement

Date: Oct 28, 2024

Key players in South Africa's sugar industry, in a united front, have publicly reached out to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, seeking an urgent suspension of the Health Promotion Levy, commonly referred to as the Sugar Tax.

This appeal surfaces as Godongwana prepares to deliver the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement this Wednesday. The consortium, comprising the South African Sugar Association, the South African Farmers Development Association, SA Canegrowers, and the South African Sugar Converters Association, has penned an open letter requesting a meeting with Minister Godongwana.

Siyabonga Madlala, Chairperson of the South African Farmers Development Association, highlighted the detrimental effects of the levy on local businesses, with some facing the dire need for business rescue.

The industry advocates for a halt on the tax increase, emphasizing the potential of biofuels and other alternative industries to create new revenue streams from sugarcane, thereby alleviating the financial strain on the sector.

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--