South Africa

BOSA in S.A says Budget Delay Shows Chaos in Unity Government

Build One South Africa says the postponement of Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget speech on Wednesday, demonstrated the chaos within the government of national unity. The budget was postponed for the first time since 1994 after cabinet members pushed back against a proposed two-percent value-added-tax hike. BOSA’s spokesperson, Roger Solomons, says the government has put the economy in jeopardy and transparency and clarity are now needed: Meanwhile, the unprecedented […]

20 February, 2025 53

South Africa

S.A’s Presidency Minister Dismisses Budget Clash as ANC-DA Battle

S.A's minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has dismissed claims that budget disagreements are a battle between the DA and ANC. She said the decision to postpone the budget to 12 March was made by the cabinet as a whole, not by individual parties and that even ANC ministers had differing views on the proposed VAT increase:

20 February, 2025 42

South Africa

S.A Finance Minister Accuses Cabinet of Leaking VAT Hike Plans

S.A Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has accused some cabinet ministers of leaking plans for a VAT increase to the media. In a media briefing, Godongwana said the government of national unity will work towards an agreement before the budget is presented on 12 March:

20 February, 2025 50

South Africa

In S.A, Minister of Finance will table 2025 budget on 12 March

South Africa's Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has confirmed that the 2025 budget will be tabled on 12 March, following additional deliberations within the cabinet. The budget speech was initially set for yesterday, but government decided to delay it to allow further discussions. Godongwana told the media the delay is in line with the Public Finance Management Act, which allows for a postponed presentation in exceptional circumstances:

20 February, 2025 36

South Africa

SA Union Criticizes Government for Neoliberal Policies

The South African Federation of Trade Unions says the government of national unity continues to champion neoliberal economic policies that actively undermine job creation. Saftu’s spokesperson, Newton Masuku, says ahead of Finance minister, Enoch Godongwana’s budget speech today, they are demanding an immediate reversal of austerity measures. Meanwhile, the Public Servants Association says it expects Godongwana to present a budget that prioritises economic growth, job security, and the strengthening […]

19 February, 2025 47

South Africa

In S.A, DA Demands Accountability Over R1 Billion Municipal Deficit

In S.A, the DA in the Free State is calling for urgent accountability, as the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality ends the 2023/2024 financial year with a one-billion-rand deficit. Over the past year, revenue stood at 1.73-billion-rand while expenses reached 2.82-billion-rand. The DA’s, Alison Oates, says this financial mismanagement directly affects residents, who continue to face water shortages, electricity instability, and deteriorating municipal services:

19 February, 2025 39

Business / Economics

In S.A, COPE Urges Godongwana to Prioritize Economic Growth in Budget

To South Africa now, where the Congress of the People is calling on Finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, to deliver a budget that prioritises heightened economic growth. COPE’s, Pake Dikgetsi, says they are warning that austerity measures targeting social services, while billions are lost to corruption will push the country further into a crisis Meanwhile, the GOOD Party Secretary-general, Brett Herron, says as things stand, around 18-million South Africans are poor […]

19 February, 2025 38

Business / Economics

South Africa is hosting G20 Employment Working Group meetings in Gqeberha

South Africa is hosting G20 Employment Working Group meetings in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, focusing on labour and employment issues. The four-day event will cover youth employment, gender equality, income inequality, and digitalisation’s impact. Guest countries from Africa have been invited to enhance regional cooperation. Employment and Labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth says the meetings align with South Africa’s G20 presidency theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability:

19 February, 2025 47

South Africa

In South Africa, GOOD Party supports basic income grant as priority

The GOOD Party says implementing a basic income grant should be priority number one in Finance minister Enoch Godogwana’s budget speech on Wednesday. Economic research the party conducted nearly two years ago, pointed to the country being able to afford a 999-rand basic income grant if it changed its approach to budgeting. GOOD’s secretary-general, Brett Herron, says South Africa is constitutionally obliged and can no longer afford not to implement […]

18 February, 2025 51