Public provides input to provincial budget
KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC, Peggy Nkonyeni said it also assists government in understanding the public’s expectations.
Inkosi Sazi Ndwalane of the KwaNdwalane Traditional Council told KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC, Peggy Nkonyeni, that it is high time the government brought the process of paying out SASSA grants to rural areas and townships.
Ndwalane said the way pension payouts were done a few years ago, allowed a number of struggling families to sell food, vegetables, their crafts and much more, adding that the way these pension payouts were previously done; were financially beneficial to black people.
Inkosi was speaking on Monday last in Betania, Ward 24 during Nkonyeni’s community consultation crusade on the provincial budget to be tabled on Friday, March 10.
Nkonyeni said these road shows are an important exercise by the provincial Treasury as it gives citizens a chance to contribute to the provincial budget speech.
She said it also assists government in understanding the public’s expectations.
“The road shows are intended to deepen public participation in provincial budgeting processes and solicit perspectives from the public about how to prioritise the people’s needs in the preparation of the provincial budget for the financial year 2023/24,” she said.
The MEC added that she recently led the provincial Treasury’s roadshow in Ilembe District before visiting the Ugu District.
She said the challenges and input by both communities are almost similar and are common challenges across rural areas of the province.
“Issues range from the energy crisis, shortage of water, poor road conditions, rampant crime, and dilapidated bridges. In Betania, Nompilo Njubane said that as young people, they have a passion for agriculture but they don’t have land,” said Nkonyeni.
She said she is committed to acting on issues raised by communities, and to refer other matters to relevant departments for their urgent intervention.
“This is important to us as KZN Treasury as it ensures that the budget that we table responds to the needs of the people of KwaZulu-Natal. We are confident that the budget speech will speak to each and every citizen of KwaZulu-Natal. We also want to assure people of this province that we have noted various concerns and suggestions that they have raised with us.” she said, adding that beyond this, the post-budget road shows are planned in all remaining districts to further entrench the culture of public engagement and to accelerate and guide the implementation of the budget.
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