logo
Last chance budget to get green flag

Last chance budget to get green flag

TimesLIVE17-05-2025

Another insider said: 'There's happiness throughout. I don't know how he came up with this, I don't know how he made it [the budget] this good, but it just means it was doable from the start. He did his job.'
This source said Godongwana was 'even working very well' with his DA deputy minister Ashor Sarupen.
A fourth source said the spending cuts might have an even worse effect on poor people than a VAT increase would have had and predicted there would be 'long faces' in parliament.
'The amount of cuts or reductions is bigger than what VAT would have been had we left it,' this source said.
The trade-off was that instead of increasing VAT, 'you will have to wait longer for your clinic, or you have to wait longer for us to fix this road, or you will have to wait for a train because we can't put in all the signalling equipment'.
Godongwana's first budget included an additional R232.6bn over the medium-term expenditure framework to address spending pressures.
One of the sources said the opposition to the VAT hikes meant Godongwana had no choice but to cut spending.
'So that's what parties have been doing since February,' this source said. 'In fact, what they said was 'we're not going to give you the means to spend an extra R232bn, we reject your proposal'. Then he came back in March with I think it was R179bn.
'The parties said 'we don't want to give you R179bn'. So, he is coming back now, and he is saying from the March version we are going to have to cut another R75bn.'
Godongwana said last month scrapping the VAT hikes would result in a R75bn shortfall in his budget. To cover this, and in the absence of other revenue mechanisms, the minister is believed to have decided to slash expenditure by at least R60bn.
'Well, let's just say the tough choices finally have to be made,' one of the sources said, citing the International Monetary Fund's decision last month to cut its projection for GDP growth in South Africa this year from 1.5% to just 1%.
'We can't borrow more because revenue projections track GDP, so reducing the amount by which we add to the baseline [last October's medium-term budget] is the only option,' the source said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India surpasses Japan to become the world's 4th largest economy
India surpasses Japan to become the world's 4th largest economy

IOL News

timean hour ago

  • IOL News

India surpasses Japan to become the world's 4th largest economy

This pivotal moment led by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscores India's commitment to amplifying the voice of the Global South and fostering deeper ties with Africa. Image: EPA-EFE/HEIN HTET IN a defining moment within our Epoch, India has officially overtaken Japan to become the fourth-largest economy in the world. As confirmed by leading assessments from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and other key institutions. This milestone is not just a reflection of economic growth; it is a powerful statement about the rising potential of the Global South, particularly for countries within the BRICS+ nations. Projections also indicate that India is on course to overtake Germany by 2027, further cementing its position on the global stage. For our Centre, focused on exploring alternative pathways for the Global South and the BRICS+ framework. India's rise provides profound insights and tangible lessons as we collectively navigate the challenges of colonial legacies, pervasive poverty, and stark inequality. India's journey also aligns with our research focus on the developments centred around the African Union (AU), with particular interest in its recent role as chair of the 2023 G20, during which the AU was granted permanent membership after India's proposal for the AU's full membership into the G20. This pivotal moment, led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscores India's commitment to amplifying the voice of the Global South and fostering deeper ties with Africa. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ For many pundits, India's rise to this unprecedented economic status was not a product of chance. This pivotal development signifies India's commitment to elevating the voice of the Global South and fostering deeper economic ties with Africa. For our Centre, focused on exploring alternative pathways for the Global South, India's journey serves as both a profound inspiration and a valuable guide as we collectively address the enduring challenges of colonial legacies, pervasive poverty, and stark inequality. While we recognise ongoing challenges such as equitable growth and job creation, key catalytic projects under Modi's leadership have catapulted India to the table of nations. This can largely be attributed to the decisive leadership of Modi. Under his stewardship since 2014, India has ascended to become a formidable IT resource hub, with talented Indians now at the helm of some of the largest fintech companies globally. This remarkable transformation exemplifies Modi's vision for an economically vibrant and technologically advanced nation. Our continent stands at a crucial turning point in its journey. Our collective histories speak of tales of colonial exploitation, and our current realities contend with poverty, inequality, and enduring unemployment. Africa and India are still behind the Global North and Advanced Asia, but India is quickly catching up, having embraced its colonial past not as an impediment but a lesson of courage and resilience. India's remarkable rise to become the world's fourth-largest economy demonstrates that with visionary leadership and political will, we, too, can transition from the peripheries of the global economy. It is possible, and India is paving the way for a new path to prosperity for its population of more than 1.2 billion people. The Global South is rising. India's position should serve as a realignment of the global economic order, emphasising the power of South-to-South cooperation. India's achievement in becoming the world's fourth-largest economy within our lifetime is not merely an Indian milestone; it is a beacon of hope for Africa and a testimony to what is attainable. 'The last shall be first and the first shall be the last.' India's achievement is not only a milestone for India, it serves as a beacon for Africa and reaffirms that countries of the Global South can transform their economic futures and their fate. We truly draw inspiration from these moments. * Phapano Phasha is the chairperson of The Centre for Alternative Political and Economic Thought. ** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, IOL, or Independent Media.

'We don't want Helen Zille as mayor': Ntsiki Mazwai
'We don't want Helen Zille as mayor': Ntsiki Mazwai

The South African

time2 hours ago

  • The South African

'We don't want Helen Zille as mayor': Ntsiki Mazwai

Outspoken media personality Ntsiki Mazwai has called for South Africans to reject former DA leader Helen Zille's plans to run for mayor of Joburg. Known for her controversial comments, the Moja Love star has gone as far as to call the 74-year-old a 'white supremacist'. Last week, the woman dubbed 'GodZille' confirmed that she was contemplating the monumental task of 'saving' Johannesburg. In a viral X post, Ntsiki Mazwai appealed to South Africans to reject Helen Zille's Joburg mayoral bid. She said: 'We cannot afford to have Helen Zille as mayor of Joburg. She is 100 million times worse than Cyril Ramaphosa. 'She is a white supremacist, and if you look at the Western Cape, you'll see that black people are abused there. They live in s**t conditions. She wants to bring that to Joburg'. Ntsiki – who has repeatedly called out politicians, particularly from the SA, added: 'She comes from a traumatic past for black people and she is triggering. We don't want her, she can go and retire, it's good'. She added that voting for Helen Zille as Joburg's next mayor would be 'a huge and scary mistake that would negatively impact the black masses' In another comment, Ntsiki agreed with her followers that the current mayor, Dado Morero of the ANC, was not the best option for the city. 'Anyone is better than Dada, guys. Helen is still not the answer', she posted. While Ntsiki Mazwai has rejected Gozille's ambitions, others are supporting it. In a tweet that also went viral, author Khaya Dlanga urged South Africans to give Helen Zille a chance, claiming that she offered a 'real, visible alternative' Anti-Apartheid activist Adam Habib stated that Helen was 'Johannesburg's best hope'. He added: 'Joburg needs water, power, roads, and frankly, governance. No one else has delivered it. Zille can!' Actor Siv Ngesi added, 'Jozi is such a huge mess, even the locals who hate @helenzille know that this would be the best thing for that dump of a place!' Speaking to eNCA, Helen Zille claimed that she had until Friday to officially submit her application to contest her bid as Johannesburg mayor. The DA's selection panel would then pick a suitable candidate from several names, including Zille's. 'Joburg is my hometown. I was born in Hillbrow, which looks very different than what it does today. Joburg was a functional city that I love and believe is the powerhouse of South Africa. Its health and its functionality is make or break for South Africa.' She added: 'If Joburg doesn't succeed, South Africa does not succeed.' Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .

War of words between AfriForum and Steenhuisen over farm murders
War of words between AfriForum and Steenhuisen over farm murders

IOL News

time3 hours ago

  • IOL News

War of words between AfriForum and Steenhuisen over farm murders

AfriForum's community safety spokesperson Jacques Broodryk has criticised Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. Image: afriforum A heated exchange has erupted between AfriForum's Jacques Broodryk and DA leader John Steenhuisen over the prioritisation of farm attacks and murders. Last month President Cyril Ramaphosa, along with some of his cabinet ministers, including Steenhuisen who is Minister of Agriculture, visited US president Donald Trump in Washington to fend off false claims of white genocide in South Africa. However, Trump ambushed the group with videos and articles to prove that white farmers were being targeted for their land. Steenhuisen, speaking at that meeting, reiterated that he was working with the police ministry to curb farm killings in the country. 'As the Minister of Agriculture it is something that I am particularly exercised with my colleagues at police and my colleagues in the justice cluster to stop, making farm attacks and stock theft a priority crime. And it affects all farmers in South Africa,' Steenhuisen said at the Oval office. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The controversy stems from Steenhuisen's recent statements in the US, where he emphasised the need to declare farm attacks and stock theft priority crimes. According to Broodryk, Steenhuisen's words are nothing more than empty promises, and it's time for him to take concrete action. "It is unfortunate that it took a humiliating meeting with the leader of the US for the Minister of Agriculture to come to his senses and finally admit that farm attacks and murders should be declared a priority crime," Broodryk wrote in a statement. "This is despite the issue being ignored until now." Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen hits back at Afriforum over farm murders. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers Broodryk's sentiments are rooted in AfriForum's long-standing call for farm attacks to be prioritised, a plea they consider to have fallen on deaf ears. The organisation's research reveals that more than 95% of all farm attack and murder incidents remain unsolved, with convictions made in only 66 cases out of 1,402 incidents recorded between 2019 and 2022. According to Broodryk the crux of the issue lies in the government's refusal to prioritise farm attacks, despite the severity and frequency of these crimes. Broodryk contends that other crimes, such as rhino poaching and cash-in-transit heists, have been given priority status, while farm attacks are neglected. "While rhino poaching is considered a priority crime and political murders receive special attention through dedicated task teams, farm attacks do not receive the same treatment," he said. "Clearly, politicians' lives are considered much more important than those of our farmers." In contrast, Steenhuisen claims that his office has been working with the Minister of Police's office to address farm attacks. "There has been collaboration between my office and the Minister of Police's office, including a joint parliamentary portfolio committee meeting between Agriculture and Police," Steenhuisen said. He also said he highlighted the issue of farm attacks in his speech during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) months before his Washington visit. Steenhuisen fired back at Broodryk, saying that he had been working behind the scenes to address farm attacks and that AfriForum's accusations were unfounded. "It is simply not true that I first raised this issue in the Oval Office," Steenhuisen said. "If the gentleman concerned had taken time to meet with me before shooting from the hip, I could have told him of the numerous interventions that have taken place and are yet to take place."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store