Brand New MPs and Ministers

Many of us remember our first date with a tinge of embarrassment. For a good number of us we experienced that classic "whoops" moment of accidentally knocking over your drink and drenching your date's new outfit.

What are the challenges of assuming office as a new MP or minister? For a lot of ministers there’s the small matter of dog allowance which many might have to ponder over. If you have a dog, fine, you are smiling all the way to the bank because the dog allowance is a staggering P8000. If you don’t own one you might well have to get one. Otherwise your spouse will start questioning his or her choices. ‘What kind of man/woman doesn’t want to own a dog when that comes with a nice little stash of dough’ could become a popular refrain in your house. Owning a dog, however, is no small job. Dogs for one are trained thieves so stuff like socks, shoes, underwear will mysteriously disappear in your house. Dogs also think they are part owners of the house. So if you want to onboard the P8k train just brave it up and get one.