GOOD Speech by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament
08 May 2025
*Note to editor: This speech was delivered by GOOD Secretary-General & Member of the Western Cape Parliament Brett Herron during today’s interpellation on MEC Ivan Meyer being banned from China following his visit to Taiwan.
Honourable members, let us not lose sight of a fundamental principle: when you are an elected official, the lines between your personal and public life are inevitably blurred. This is not just a matter of perception; it is a matter of responsibility. MEC Meyer, as the Western Cape Minister for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, holds a position of public trust. His foremost duty is to protect and advance the economic interests of this province. So how can that duty be effectively carried out if he is personally banned from entering China, our largest trading partner in Asia?
If the MEC visited Taiwan in a personal capacity, the question of what exactly happened, or how egregious was his behaviour, to lead to a ban. On the other hand, if he met with Taiwanese officials, the trip cannot fall under the banner of a personal visit.
Let us be clear: China is not just another market. It is a key player in our province’s export strategy, tourism potential, and foreign investment pipeline. Being banned from engaging directly with Chinese officials and business representatives places MEC Meyer in a compromised position. It limits his ability to build relationships, attract investment, and promote trade, all of which are critical functions of his portfolio.
If MEC Meyer’s personal actions or history have led to a ban that now impairs his ability to do his job, then it is not merely a private issue. It is a public concern, and one that demands accountability. We cannot allow a member of the executive to jeopardise strategic provincial interests.
If his capacity to serve is undermined, and there is no clear plan to fix the damage to our economic diplomacy, then he must be removed from office. This is not about personal persecution. It is about safeguarding the province’s economic future.