Grant Masterson

Political Data Specialist, Control Risks, & Director, GetMetrix

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

@WOOLWORTHS_SA Great press this week, putting a South African business into liquidation because your exclusivity agreement lapsed with Beyers chocolate and they wanted to expand beyond your control. But at least you're expanding your international offerings. ProudlySouthAfrican.

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the genesis of the partnership between the African Union and European Union. I have been a witness to much of this period in various ways and the progress made in so many areas compared to 25 years ago is remarkable. Worth pausing to reflect.

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

Godongwana conduct over this budget concerns me. 1. He admits it was a spur of the moment, personal decision to raise VAT. (!!!) 2. He now claims there is "a 90% chance" he won't need to implement VAT hike if the revenue this year is good. (???)

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

So cheer DOGE as they "put a stop to the rot". But remember that what they have found is evidence of "millions" (Sometimes less) in wasteful expenditure, but USAID programs in famine areas *were* spending billions. And DOGE needed a sledgehammer to do that?!?!? Really?

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

So much discussion focusing on "shocking" details coming out of USAID, wastage, "scandalous" allocations etc. So here is a reminder of some questions to ask of DOGE approach: (1) Was it possible to review USAID spending without disrupting every global program? Yes. (1 of/)

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

What I do know is that the majority of USAID staffers are hard working, dedicated development practitoners who's work has helped vulnerable, powerless and impoverished people around the world. I can cheer a good cleanup of govt corruption, but not in such a crass display.

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

If the citizen fears the state more than the state "fears" the citizen, this is a sign that institutions have been weakened to the point that state power is no longer constrained appropriately. Citizens in such states do not sleep peacefully at night.

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

It always ends the same way. At some stage, the machine's momentum starts to trample the safeguards against state power. At such moments, the enthusiasm sours and regret starts to manifest but often too late.

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

I've watched this pantomime in several countries over the years. A leader sweeps to power on a popular surge of anti-establishment anger. The leader acts decisively, often cleaning house among state institutions whose jobs and importance isn't obvious to supporters.

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

I've watched this pantomime in several countries over the years. A leader sweeps to power on a popular surge of anti-establishment anger. The leader acts decisively, often cleaning house among state institutions whose jobs and importance isn't obvious to supporters.

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

The first DataByte on the South Africa 2024 elections is up on our page here to download. https://t.co/omLDyfvQTR

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

It was a privilege to be at the @IECSouthAfrica National Results and Operation Centre for the South African 2024 National and Provincial Elections. The GetMetrix team has started analysing the results, and we're going to be sharing these via our DataBytes page starting this week.

[IEC South Africa @IECSouthAfrica]

🚨The Electoral Commission is happy to announce the first results of the #SAelections24.

For updates on the results, visit https://t.co/oyLqQLx4bS.

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

Voted using our special voting option this morning. The process was quick, easy and the @IECSouthAfrica staff were fantastic. This week is a chance for all registered South Africans to stand shoulder to shoulder and declare our democracy with pride and hope for the future.

[Sherwin Bryce-Pease @sherwiebp]

From the 🇿🇦 SA Embassy in Berlin…
No dress code required to vote 😂

#sabcnews

[Parliament of RSA @ParliamentofRSA]

🅓🅘🅓 🅨🅞🅤 🅚🅝🅞🅦?
During his first State of the Nation address delivered on 24 May 1994 President Nelson Mandela announced that the @UN Security Council will meet to lift the last remaining sanctions against South Africa and to position the world organisation to relate to our country as an honoured, responsible and peace-loving citizen
#30YearsOfDemocraticParliament
#30YearsOfDemocracy

[Grant Masterson @grant_masterson]

From my first journey into Africa in 2003 (Kenya) representing @EISAfrica, tomorrow will be my last as I leave Monrovia for new challenges. The privilege of striding the continent for democracy humbles me often. (Pic) My last 4 passports from 2016 - present. Thank you my friends.