Education and Health get the biggest cut of Limpopo’s budget
Treasury MEC Kgabo Mahoai assured that departments would be closely monitored, with monthly reviews of procurement plans to ensure the efficient use of funds.
LIMPOPO – Treasury MEC Kgabo Mahoai on Tuesday tabled a 2025/26 budget of R86b at the Limpopo Legislature in Lebowakgomo.
The Department of Health and Education share the biggest cut of the budget, with Education being allocated R42.5b and Health R26b.
The Department of Public Works, Road and Infrastructure received an increase with R5.6b being allocated.
The MEC explained that the increased infrastructure budget is driven by the need to address the province’s infrastructure challenges.
“The demand for infrastructure exceeds the resources at our disposal, and therefore a greater effort is needed to meet this need,” he said. As a result, innovative solutions will be required to ensure that the allocated resources are fully utilised.
The Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba had previously pointed out the immense infrastructure gap in the province, noting that Limpopo would need R160b just to tar around 13 000km of roads – a sum more than 20 times the province’s current annual budget.
“This would require doubling the entire budget of Limpopo just for roads, without funding for schools, clinics, or staff,” she said, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
In response, Mahoai outlined strategies to prevent slow spending.
He assured that departments would be closely monitored, with monthly reviews of procurement plans, identification of project delivery challenges, and the development of acceleration strategies to ensure the efficient use of funds.
Despite the focus on infrastructure, Provincial Government’s own revenue will still be predominantly allocated to Health and Education.
Mahoai said that strong social services are key to fostering socio-economic development. A healthy, skilled, and educated population, he noted, is essential for the province’s long-term economic growth.
DA’s provincial spokesperson on finance, Jacques Smalle commented that the DA wants government to spend more money on basic service delivery.
“The majority of the budget, close to about 70%, is going for salaries, and less than 10% to infrastructure,” he commented.
