Calls for bigger slices of Godongwana’s budget cake

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget 3.0 has many, including constrained provincial administrations and traditional authorities, asking for bigger slices from the yet-to-be divided national cake.

With the value-added tax (VAT) issue that delayed the passing of the budget now off the table, Godongwana could be smiling as he delivers his budget speech tomorrow – four months after a hollow address in February.

Political parties and rural voices weigh in

Now that a consensus has been reached, with the government of national unity (GNU) parties giving budget a thumbs-up, many have come forward to claim their share, or what they think they deserve from the cake.

Even the usually reticent traditional leaders have asked Godongwana not to forget them. Some provinces had been struggling to survive beyond the end of the past financial year as their budgets were exhausted.

The situation worsened after Godongwana withdrew the Division of Revenue Bill and the Appropriation Bill he introduced in the National Assembly last month, due to the budget impasse within the GNU.

All the provincial budgets depend on the national allocations by the minister.

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KwaZulu-Natal hangs by a thread

KwaZulu-Natal, which has been hardest hit by budget depletion, had been waiting for Godongwana’s allocations with bated breath after it had almost exhausted its 2024-25 financial year budgets – leaving service providers and early childhood teachers high and dry for at least two months.

KZN finance MEC Francois Rogers appealed to Godongwana and National Treasury to ensure that the way forward is clearly mapped out during the coming days.

“We also call on National Treasury to ensure that there are no reductions in KZN’s equitable share, or provincial conditional grants,” Rogers said.

Political parties and rural voices weigh in

The DA has made significant proposals dealing with comprehensive fiscal strategies. Traditional leaders also want a fair share of the budget allocations to develop their communities, whom they claimed were neglected for many years.

North West-based Bakgatla ba Kgafela traditional leader, Kgosi Nyalala Pilane, was first to jump to the fore to request Godongwana to prioritise rural development.

He urged Godongwana to prioritise spending that delivers real impact and avoid shortcuts that harm low-income households. Union federation Cosatu asked Godongwana not to disappoint workers and the nation.

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