PUBLIC Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba, a man of quiet demeanour, showed his other side this week when he angrily lashed out at the exorbitant salaries earned by senior executives and board members in parastatals, particularly those under his political watch.
Gigaba was particularly incensed by two instances of "excessive executive pay" at one of these parastatals, otherwise known as state-owned entities in politically correct speak.
The first was a report that one Peter Malungani, a non-executive director at transport logistics utility Transnet - which reports to Gigaba - recently earned more than R138000 for attending only three of five meetings, or a whopping R34500 a sitting.
The second related to the payment of more than R10-million in incentives and bonuses to Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) chief executive officer Siyabonga Gama for the period he was on suspension while allegations of graft were being investigated against him.
A clearly peeved Gigaba has now ordered that pay increases for senior executives and board members be frozen until "a proper remuneration policy" has been put in place.
By invoking the emotive issue of "the lowest paid" people, Gigaba was seemingly also referring to himself. You see, at his current annual salary of R1.9-million, it will take a solid five years for him to earn what Gama, his subordinate at TFR, pocketed in incentives and bonuses - annual salary excluded - in one year alone. And what's more, Gama was at home during all this time.
As for Malungani, he earns in three meetings almost what the hard-working, overworked and always harassed minister gets paid in a month. No wonder Gigaba has joined the cause of Mzansi's lowest-paid people brigade.
Where's the action, Mama?
Gauteng premier Nomvula "Mama Action" Mokonyane - with her health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe, an entourage of government officials and a media contingent in tow - went on what is essentially a fact-finding mission to determine the state of health of the health system in the province.
At a primary healthcare facility in Kliptown, Soweto, patients complained of long queues and the dilapidated state of the building, which was erected in 1955.
It was the same story everywhere. Officials were seen feverishly scribbling notes as the premier and the MEC listened attentively to stories of despair and helplessness, seemingly surprised at what they were told.
After the excursion, the two politicians seemed satisfied with the information they had gathered.
But Guluva and his mates always knew this and, guess what, they are not even in government.
Try next door, baba!
Guluva, who is always so broke it is not funny, was almost pleasantly surprised when he received an SMS the other day reading: "A payment has been made to your account . Download attached FNBAcountStatement now and be automatically logged into your account to see your payments."
Problem is, Guluva does not have an account with FNB, and probably never will. All Guluva wants to say to the lout responsible for this, a pathetic and poor imitation of "419" scammers, is: "Try next door, baba!"
E-mail Guluva on thatha.guluva@gmail.com
It's just too much for Gigaba
PUBLIC Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba, a man of quiet demeanour, showed his other side this week when he angrily lashed out at the exorbitant salaries earned by senior executives and board members in parastatals, particularly those under his political watch.
Gigaba was particularly incensed by two instances of "excessive executive pay" at one of these parastatals, otherwise known as state-owned entities in politically correct speak.
The first was a report that one Peter Malungani, a non-executive director at transport logistics utility Transnet - which reports to Gigaba - recently earned more than R138000 for attending only three of five meetings, or a whopping R34500 a sitting.
The second related to the payment of more than R10-million in incentives and bonuses to Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) chief executive officer Siyabonga Gama for the period he was on suspension while allegations of graft were being investigated against him.
A clearly peeved Gigaba has now ordered that pay increases for senior executives and board members be frozen until "a proper remuneration policy" has been put in place.
By invoking the emotive issue of "the lowest paid" people, Gigaba was seemingly also referring to himself. You see, at his current annual salary of R1.9-million, it will take a solid five years for him to earn what Gama, his subordinate at TFR, pocketed in incentives and bonuses - annual salary excluded - in one year alone. And what's more, Gama was at home during all this time.
As for Malungani, he earns in three meetings almost what the hard-working, overworked and always harassed minister gets paid in a month. No wonder Gigaba has joined the cause of Mzansi's lowest-paid people brigade.
Where's the action, Mama?
Gauteng premier Nomvula "Mama Action" Mokonyane - with her health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe, an entourage of government officials and a media contingent in tow - went on what is essentially a fact-finding mission to determine the state of health of the health system in the province.
At a primary healthcare facility in Kliptown, Soweto, patients complained of long queues and the dilapidated state of the building, which was erected in 1955.
It was the same story everywhere. Officials were seen feverishly scribbling notes as the premier and the MEC listened attentively to stories of despair and helplessness, seemingly surprised at what they were told.
After the excursion, the two politicians seemed satisfied with the information they had gathered.
But Guluva and his mates always knew this and, guess what, they are not even in government.
Try next door, baba!
Guluva, who is always so broke it is not funny, was almost pleasantly surprised when he received an SMS the other day reading: "A payment has been made to your account . Download attached FNBAcountStatement now and be automatically logged into your account to see your payments."
Problem is, Guluva does not have an account with FNB, and probably never will. All Guluva wants to say to the lout responsible for this, a pathetic and poor imitation of "419" scammers, is: "Try next door, baba!"
E-mail Guluva on thatha.guluva@gmail.com
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