I am pleased and honoured to become patron of the South African Constitutional Property Rights Foundation. I have done so because I have been persuaded that a simple change to the tax collection system, as proposed by Peter Meakin and Philip Bateman has the potential to improve the lives of millions of South Africans.
The principles that underlie the SACPRIF, and its argument, are easily understood, causing us to think afresh about the way in which we view the connection between poverty, land and fiscal policy. Having read this booklet, I am of the opinion that the reader will better understand the simple yet profound assertion that an uncomplicated amendment to South Africa's tax laws can lead to the reduction of poverty and unemployment.
This booklet contains both the theoretical basis of SACPRIF's proposals and the practical implications of their implementation. It is written with a technical and moral authority with which I am pleased to be associated. Furthermore, SACPRIF has devised a Constitutional Court challenge to advance a dispensation that will benefit both the rich and the poor in South Africa and in so doing, it has demonstrated due and appropriate regard and respect for the Constitution and our legal system.
As such I have agreed to accept the invitation to become SACPRIF's patron and am proud of my Charter Membership. I know you will find this booklet both stimulating and valuable, and I urge you to join me in becoming part of this important initiative.
Prof N Barney Pityana is Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of South Africa one of the world's mega distance education institutions with over 220 000 registered students and 5000 staff and academics.
He was previously Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, one of the independent constitutional institutions established to protect democracy in South Africa (1995-2001).
Prof Pityana is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa. He also studied theology at King's College London. He received the PhD in Religious Studies at the University of Cape Town in 1995.
Prof Pityana has published extensively in theology, human rights law and politics.
