Central youth unimpressed with Tshwane budget

Young residents living or working in Pretoria Central believe that the latest budget for the 2024/25 financial year will not benefit them in the long run.

On June 4, MMC for Finance, Jacqui Uys tabled a total budget of R50.6-billion, comprising an operating budget of R48.3-billion and a capital infrastructure investment budget of R2.3-billion which was later approved by the Tshwane council.

The move would see residents pay more for municipal services such as water and electricity from July 1. The tariff increases included 5.9% for water and sanitation, 5% for refuse removal, and 5% for property rates.

In the spirit of Youth Month, Rekord reached out to young residents who live or work in Pretoria Central to gauge their reactions to the approved budget.

“They have set out the budget to aid a lot of things that needed to be implemented and I agree with where they have allocated the budget to a certain degree,” said 24-year-old Gonste Sedibe.

“My concern is those tasks mentioned will not be implemented to the end, once the budget is out. A lot of people will be self-feeding from the tenders that will be distributed, and this will then go back to the government keeping their hands in the taxpayer’s pockets again, even when they had mentioned a 5% of the budget will go to increments of employees salaries, to cover a budget deficit,” Sedibe said.

Central student, Mbali Nzuke (24) said young people will suffer greatly from the tariff increases as most find themselves in dire economic circumstances.

“The approved budget will result in young residents spending more on expenses. I don’t understand how they expect us to pay more for things. The majority of SA is unemployed, and some don’t have enough experience in terms of applying for and getting the job of their dreams but now they expect us to pay more for municipal bills,” said Nzuke.

“As a young resident I believe this will cause a whole lot of mixed reactions, I mean social grants are also affected. With the R18.5-million that is towards the EPWP, it will never sustain everyone that’s unemployed and it’s a shame that we as young people still need to trust in our government,” Nzuke said.

ALSO READ: Watch: TMPD patrolling spiking hotspots in and around Pretoria

Caroline Mabaso (21) said the budget looks good on paper.

“While the approved budget is in place [and] might sound promising, it is quite evident that the allocated funds will not be utilised accordingly. This can be seen in previous years where there has not been consistent service delivery including access to water, strikes with regard to waste disposal as well as roads being riddled with potholes,” Mabaso said.

“Over R20-million has been allocated to instal streetlights but not a cent to fix broken traffic lights that are just as essential, especially in a city like Tshwane. Issues like these would need to be improved alongside overall service delivery, libraries, infrastructure in schools as well as maintenance of recreational areas such as parks,” Mabaso.

Mbali Nkosi (24) believes that young residents will have an array of different expectations from this budget and not all will be met.

“Young residents may have diverse opinions about the approved budget and desired improvements in the inner city. Some may express concerns about the allocation of funds, wanting more investment in education, community programmes, or youth employment initiatives. Others might prioritise infrastructure improvements like better public transportation,” Nkosi said.

Local visual artist Bruce Bowale said that salary increments for workers won’t be enough.

“I can appreciate things like trying to put up lights because some places are not safe to walk in in the CBD because it’s too dark but at the same time it will be more consumption of energy so who pays for that?

“I wish they could also instal more dustbins because in the CBD you can walk long distances to find one while every block is covered in litter. It’s something we need because a high number of people live and work in central so it gets dirty quickly,” Bowale said.

Watch here: https://x.com/i/status/1797954511543361545

Here is what they youth thought on Tshwane’s 2024/25 financial year budget:

The youth have their say on the Tshwane budget:

– Palesa Ngunqi (24)
“There is a lot that Tshwane can do to improve the city such as cleaning it but there is no guarantee that everything could be fixed. There’s always corruption involved when monies are released to improve things concerning water, sanitation, property and more.”

– Panashe Kambumwa
“I would like to see roads and sidewalks upgraded and public safety prioritised. I hope for the city to ensure a safer environment for its residents and visitors.”

– Shaun Marumo
“I hope the money allocated to better the city lands in good hands that would do what needs to be done. As the city’s budget aligns with the needs, I hope that they are really met. Some of the parks look abandoned and need improvement.”

– Asiphe Mjongile (25)
“The city budget should prioritise infrastructure, safety, economic development, housing, sustainability, and social services.
They should enhance transportation infrastructure, increase safety measures, support local business, foster environmental sustainability, and strengthen social services.”

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram