07 May 2020

ATT : PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
          MR. CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

CC :  MINISTER OF TOURISM,
         MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
         MINISTER OF FINANCE
         SECRETARY GENERAL OF ANC

Dear Honourable President Ramaphosa

RE: COVID-19 BUSINESS SUPPORT

SAMNET supports all the principles of Affirmative Action, Equity and Transformation, but agree that the withholding of any support, social, medical, economic or otherwise, in response to a national crisis, on the basis of any criteria Race, Religion, Ethnicity, Gender, or other differences is counter to building a non-racial and non discriminatory society and a South Africa for all its citizens.

Business is interconnected with the economic activity and provisions of every employee, their family, dependents and community. The policy of the Department of Tourism to base support based on race will impact on all types of South Africans especially the struggling low income and middle income earners of all races employed by any business. We call on the President as our leader and a key drafter of our constitution, on government and the NCC addressing this crisis and the ANC as the governing party based in its roots as a non-racial, inclusive organization to recognize the damaging impact this will have and to reverse this decision immediately.

This will set an untenable precedent for future decisions, which could determine social or medical benefits being withheld, based on race or other discriminatory factors. At a time when we need to support every entrepreneur and Small Business owner who can save and create employment, we must not unintentionally create poverty and hardship by terminating, discouraging or deterring business.

Kind Regards
Dr Faisal Suliman
Chairman of SAMNET