MBOMBELA – This occurred at the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature on Tuesday March 8.

According to Mkhatshwa, the budget has been tabled in a slightly improved economic environment compared to the same time last year.

“The 2022 budget framework increases allocations to the provincial government to alleviate some pressures and ensure the continuity of administration, social and economic development programmes. The total budget to be appropriated to votes in the 2022/23 financial year is R56.442bn, of this amount, 81% is transfer receipts from the provincial equitable share, 16.1% is from conditional grants and 2.9% is from own revenue and other receipts. “I will now start with the social sector departments.

Consistent with the importance attached to this sector, R24.273bn, which equates to 43% of the total provincial budget for 2022/23, has been allocated to the  MEC Vusi Mkhatshwa. Department of Education.

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“The second-largest component of the budget, at R16.824bn, has been allotted to the Department of Health to strengthen primary healthcare, provide medicine and medical supplies, laboratory services, and procure adequate personal protective equipment to continue rolling out the vaccination programme. “The Department of Social Development is one of the leading institutions in providing essential services to the most vulnerable members of society through various targeted interventions. A total amount of R1.616bn has been allocated to the department to provide psychosocial services and social relief benefits to needy families, among others.

“R604m has been devoted to the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation to drive social cohesion and nation-building programmes, to preserve our cultural heritage in collaboration with traditional authorities and to provide support to the creative industries in the province.

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“The Department of Human Settlements has received R1.506bn and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism R1.743bn. R596m of this will go towards the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market. A special allocation of R70m has been provided to this department to revive tourism, drive trade and investment.

This programme will be led by the department with its entities, of particular significance is R50m for the increased tourism attraction programme and the upgrading of provincial nature reserves; R20m for the Makhonjwa Mountain World Heritage Site and related programme. “R1.289bn has been allocated to the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs.

It includes R30m for the commencement of a cannabis project that is expected to increase economic activities and create jobs. A further R7m is added for the Greening Mpumalanga programme. “The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport has been allotted R4.993bn to ensure the delivery of a balanced and quality road infrastructure programme while also maintaining the road network.

“The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has been allocated R690m to coordinate and optimally support the local government sphere. “The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison has received R1.584bn to exercise oversight on policing, to coordinate security services and to implement road safety programmes.

“We propose R377 826 000 for the Office of the Premier and R371 838 000 for the provincial legislature. Lastly, we propose R566m for the provincial treasury.”