Following recent developments relating to the national budget, the MEC for finance, Bonakele Majuba, tabled the provincial budget for the 2025/26 financial year at the Provincial Legislature on Tuesday, June 3. Provinces are required to re-table annual provincial budgets to ensure alignment with the new Division of Revenue Bill as tabled on May 21.

Majuba said the national budget, initially tabled by the ministry of finance, underwent rigorous debate and scrutiny to reflect the diverse interests of the people of South Africa, including those in Mpumalanga.

“I would like to withdraw the following budget documents that were tabled on March 18: Mpumalanga Appropriation Bill [B2] of 2025, Estimate of the Provincial Revenue and Expenditure along with its accompanying introductory Budget Speech for 2024/25,” said Majuba.

The total provincial budget for the financial year 2025/26 is R66.1b. “This figure represents a reduction of R29m compared to the amount that was initially proposed and tabled on March 18.”

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There are no substantive changes to the spending priorities already announced in March 2025, except for the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs. The initial budget for this department is reduced by R29m, revising the department’s allocation to R1.6b.

The largest share of the budget (R28.7b) was assigned to the Department of Education to expand eLearning and provide education infrastructure in targeted municipalities. The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport was allocated R5.8b for the repair and maintenance of roads and the delivery of other infrastructure programmes entrusted to the department.
The Office of the Premier was allocated R493.8m to ensure executive leadership and accountability for service delivery throughout the provincial administration.

The Provincial Legislature received R549.1m for law-making, oversight, and any other business of the legislature. R647.4m is earmarked for the Provincial Treasury, while the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs received R2.3b to support municipalities, traditional authorities, and improve access to improved human settlements.

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The Department of Economic Development and Tourism received R1.3b to drive economic development and growth initiatives. The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison’s budget of R2.1b was allocated to ensure safety in homes, public spaces, and on roads.

R19.7b was allocated to the Department of Health to enhance healthcare services, recruit medical staff, and develop health infrastructure in targeted areas. This includes funds for the construction of Linah Malatji Hospital. The Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation received R812.5m to support cultural heritage, sports initiatives and the social cohesion programme.

The Department of Social Development was allocated R1.8b to ensure social security support for vulnerable groups and to increase NGO funding in the sector.

“This budget marks the beginning of new opportunities for societal development and economic growth as envisioned in the province’s five-year plan. It is a plan that funds the construction of new clinics and schools, and operationalises various completed infrastructure projects. It signifies continuity in our efforts towards the continued growth and development of the province,” said Majuba.