The dictionary defines the meaning of a Banana Republic as a small country that is politically unstable and is reliant on one or two exports making for an unstable economy. South Africa is not quite there yet, but one could argue they are very close. The problem is the politicians in charge are for most part uneducated and every decision for them is like a trick question as they are not sure which is the right answer. This gives no confidence in what is going to happen next because those making the decisions do not know themselves.
Things are so bad and chaotic you cannot make these things up with the head of the army visiting Iran this week. Some General who I have never heard of before took it upon himself to do an "official"/"unofficial" visit to Iran and to go further do a public speech praising Iran.
When you consider we are in the second week of having 30% tariffs and according to the government discussions are still taking place with regard to negotiating these tariffs. Now we have the head of the army openly discussing sensitive topics in Iran you can imagine how bad this looks.
The government has been infiltrated by the Muslim Brotherhood group over the years and why they filed the case against Israel in the Humanitarian Courts. Politicians have been bought and I dare say this has been the case here again and the government has been blind sided by those inside the party. People had to know this was going to happen and was pre planned and organized by those who want to create a barrier between the US and South Africa.
This is dangerous and catastrophic showing a weak government with internal divisions especially at this delicate time of tariff negotiations. having those in powerful positions going rogue with the obvious aim of distancing SA from the rest of the world. This should be high treason with a court martial followed by an execution sending a message to others who are behind this. The aim is to alienate SA and distance themselves from the US by teaming up with a regime that is on it's last legs. What happens when Iran stands up and frees itself from the regime in charge? SA will have one less ally and will have China, India and Russia left as they have burned all the other bridges.
SA has been walking a tightrope for years having joined BRICS and do not deserve to be offered a better tariff agreement. I think everyone knows this is not the want of the people, but more so the government with their socialism and communistic beliefs. The majority of people in SA are uneducated and do not understand all the implications.
The 30% tariffs are expected to impact in excess of 100K jobs which we will know more clearly within the next 6 months how bad things really are. SA needs a proper political change with a party representing everyone's interests and not just one or the other. If this carries on the same path there will be no economy or future for SA and it will become a Banana Republic very fast.