Everyone loves getting gifts, and it just saves the trouble of having to splash out lots of cash in order to treat yourself.

If you’re a South African Member of Parliament, you’re going to get all sorts of goodies, which is a real dream come true.

According to a report by EWN, all MPs are required to make annual declarations of gifts they receive with a value in excess of R500. Parliament’s ethics committee made the gift list public on Tuesday, as it forms part of the register of interests.

You know, to ensure transparency and that we don’t lose confidence in our politicians – that sort of thing.

Cyril Ramaphosa, who was elected to the presidency back in February and ceased to be an MP, still had some sweet gifts to declare, the list revealed:

Ramaphosa was gifted more than ten books, including Judge Dikgang Moseneke’s My Own Liberator: A Memoir. He also received boxes of Cuban cigars and bottles of wine and vodka, as well as a herbal miracle cream.

Must be nice to be the president and get such lavish gifts. Goodness knows if he used the herbal miracle cream for himself, though.

Other MPs didn’t do so badly in the gift department, either, reports News24:

DA leader Mmusi Maimane scored Newlands rugby tickets and complimentary accommodation at Fairways Hotel and The Palazzo Montecasino.

DA chief whip John Steenhuisen was gifted Cuban cigars, while Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba [pictured below] received a number of DVDs and CDs, five of which were from gospel musician Thinah Zungu.

Maybe the gospel CDs were an attempt to appeal to his conscience, which might have worked if he had one.

Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi got flights to Hong Kong and four nights hotel accommodation, meals and transport courtesy of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa received Vodacom July Handicap Tickets and golf tournament accommodation.

Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Maite Nkoana-Mashabane was gifted a watch during an official visit to Qatar, as well as a fur coat.

Real fur or fake fur? The people demand to know.

Gifts, hey – if ever there was motivation to enter politics, this is it.

Meanwhile, the MPs who didn’t declare gifts include the likes of Police Minister Bheki Cele, Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Groenewald, EFF leader Julius Malema, and DA MP Natasha Mazzone.

*Strokes imaginary beard in thought* Hmm, maybe they failed to meet the deadline set out by the committee to submit their gift disclosures? Or perhaps their gifts were below R500?

And does that miracle cream really work?

These are the important questions, folks.

[sources:ewn&news24]