ANC needs some cash
I particularly enjoyed Smuts Ngonyama's response to criticism of the ANC's proposal for parties to be paid more by Parliament. "A proposal is a proposal. It has to be discussed. It's unfair to bludgeon the ANC if it is a proposal," he said. Well in that case, I would like to make a proposal that I take over the reigns of the presidency and use the national coffers to buy Magnums for the entire population, but noone must criticise me.

Anyway, I digress. The ANC has been having a tough time raising funds in what has undoubtedly been a very difficult year for the party. The easy option is to table a proposal whereby all parties will be paid more by Parliament, thus significantly increasing the ANC's funding. It's one of the perks of being the majority party, and would happen in most other countries, but it's the level of increases that poses a problem. The ANC proposal would raise MP's pay from R19 000 to R50 000 a month! Increases in line with inflation you say?

This will undoubtedly be more cannon fodder for the lower levels of Cosatu who will only see more governmental gravy-boating. It will be interesting to see who sticks their necks out over this one.