23/09/2026
South Africa's politicians deserve more respect than what some commentators are giving it.
We are disappointed by recent comments from Professor Yusuf suggesting that Members of Parliament who ask questions, raise concerns, or support changes to the To***co Bill are acting out of "personal interests".
Parliament's job is to listen to different views, question, test evidence and make decisions in the interests of South Africans.
For informal traders, this debate is not about politics. It is about livelihoods.
Across the country, thousands of small traders wake up before sunrise, work long hours, and support entire families through honest trade. Many of them took the time to write letters, make submissions, attend meetings, and share their concerns about this Bill. They did so because the outcome will affect their businesses, their workers, and their communities. Their voices matter just as much as those of academics, consultants, and activists. Thus, no honest observer can claim that the concerns raised by elected representatives simply reflect "personal interests". They reflect the voices of the people who elected them and the stakeholders affected by the Bill.
We are also concerned by the Professor’s attempts to use personal anecdotes as a substitute for scientific evidence. Public policy should be based on scientific research, not on emotional stories that cannot be independently verified. If claims are made linking specific products to severe health outcomes, those claims should be supported by peer-reviewed scientific data rather than presented as proof on their own. The real question is whether everyone participating in this debate is willing to apply the same standards of objectivity to themselves that they demand from others.
If the Professor openly states that he has a personal passion about a particular issue, that is his right. However, personal passion does not exempt anyone from scrutiny. It makes it even more important that his arguments are supported by transparent evidence and sound science.
As before, informal traders expect elected representatives to consider public health, economic realities, jobs, small businesses and the daily struggles of ordinary citizens. Parliament's responsibility is to balance all these interests fairly.
To all stakeholders involved, our message is simple:
- Respect the democratic process.
- Respect the role of Parliament.
- Respect the voices of ordinary South Africans.
Democracy is not everyone agreeing with you. Democracy is listening to people, even when they disagree with you. We thank the elected representatives of South Africa for doing exactly that.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1129302279753717
