South Africa's parliament passes last major budget bill
The Appropriation Bill, which allocates funds to government departments and entities, was approved by a majority vote in the 400-seat National Assembly, a presiding officer said.
The budget of Africa's biggest economy went through repeated delays and revisions this year as it became the focus of a power struggle between the long-ruling African National Congress and its biggest coalition partner, the Democratic Alliance.
The DA, which until last year was the main opposition party, had initially refused to back the budget because of a value-added tax increase, which the ANC ultimately abandoned after it failed to secure the necessary support.
The DA then said it would not approve the budgets of departments led by ANC ministers whom it had accused of wrongdoing. President Cyril Ramaphosa fired one of those ministers on Monday, which the DA said was enough to secure its support.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has admitted that navigating the budget process under a coalition government was difficult. South Africa's coalition, which is only a year old, followed three decades of ANC rule since the end of apartheid in 1994.
The National Treasury released new technical guidelines on Wednesday aiming to improve the process next year, saying there would be "continuous political endorsement". REUTERS
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes
World In landmark opinion, World Court says countries must address climate change threat
Singapore 5 teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt
Singapore Male victim of fatal Toa Payoh fire was known to keep many things, say residents
Sport Bukayo Saka the difference as Arsenal beat AC Milan at National Stadium
Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in
Singapore Over 1.15 million Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 have claimed SG60 vouchers
Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Singapore lion dance troupe retains title at Genting World championship
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The lion dance troupes are happy to have won this competition for Singapore, especially when it is SG60. SINGAPORE - A lion dance troupe from Singapore's Yi Wei Athletic Association defended its title at the 15th Genting World Lion Dance Championship on July 27. Yi Wei had triumphed in 2023 to break Malaysia's 13-year stranglehold on the title at the competition, which is held biennially. In this edition, Yi Wei sent t wo teams of eight to compete in the battle of Chinese mythical creatures, and again came out tops . Its Team B was crowned the grand champion with a score of 9.78, and its Team A was first runner-up with a score of 9.66. Mr Lee Kai Ming, 30, a coach at Yi Wei, said: 'Winning this championship means a lot to us because this is a world-recognised lion dance competition, and we are representing Singapore. 'SG60 is coming soon, and we're happy that we can win this competition for Singapore,' he added. Organised and hosted by Resorts World Genting in Malaysia, the three-day tournament featured 40 competing teams hailing from nations and territories like China, Hong Kong and Australia. Mr Lee said that the Yi Wei teams began their preparations for the competition and planned their choreographies in April . Team A's performance was based on Guan Gong, an ancient military general who is now worshipped as the Chinese god of war, while Team B based theirs on Nezha, a Chinese deity often depicted as a child in iconography. The teams practised at a rented location on Defu Lane . Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole backfilled; road to be repaved after LTA tests Asia Gunman kills 5 security guards near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Singapore HPB looking for vaping, smoking counselling services for up to 175 secondary school students Singapore Jail for former pre-school teacher who tripped toddler repeatedly, causing child to bleed from nose Singapore Police statements by doctor in fake vaccine case involving Iris Koh allowed in court: Judge Singapore Woman allegedly linked to case involving pre-schooler's sexual assault given stern warning Singapore SMRT reports unauthorised post on its X account, says investigation under way Singapore Yi Wei Athletic Association's teams began preparations in April 2025, and trained daily at a rented location on Defu Lane. PHOTO: SINGAPORE YI WEI ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION This year, Resorts World Genting deepened the prize pool to celebrate their 60th anniversary, and Malaysia's Transport Minister Antony Loke presented the winning teams their trophies. Yi Wei's champion Team B took home US$18,000 (S$23,000), while Team A won US$10,000. In 2023, the champion received US$15,000, while the first and second runners-up received US$8,000 and US$5,000 respectively. Yi Wei's c elebrations , though, will come only later, said Mr Lee, as the group has turned its attention to preparing for upcoming competitions in Singapore and abroad, starting with the 29th Ngee Ann City National Lion Dance Championships from Sept 8-13.
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Resilient economy versus uncertain outlook splits views on Singapore's monetary policy
SINGAPORE - Better-than-expected economic growth and declining inflation so far this year are reason enough for Singapore's central bank to leave its currency-driven monetary policy unchanged. This is what many analysts believe will happen on July 30 when the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) releases its quarterly policy statement. However, this is not a consensus view. Quite a few analysts believe that the uncertainty over growth and inflation outlook might prompt MAS to further ease its policy stance. The MAS has already eased its policy stance twice this year to slow the rate of S$Neer appreciation. The MAS policy statements usually have implications for the value of the Singapore dollar against other currencies – which is important for Singaporeans planning to travel abroad or making hefty payments such as tuition fees for their children studying abroad. Unlike other central banks, the MAS manages monetary policy by letting the local dollar rise or fall against a basket of currencies of Singapore's main trading partners within an undisclosed trading band, known as the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate, or S$Neer. MAS's primary tool for managing the S$Neer is intervention operations in the spot foreign exchange market, which involves the sale or purchase of US dollars against the Singapore dollar to ensure that the S$Neer is kept within the policy band, and is consistent with domestic price stability.
Nylon
13 hours ago
- Nylon
Lee Hwa celebrates the nation's birthday with new SG60 Collection
In its highly anticipated SG60 Collection, Lee Hwa presents a harmonious blend of heritage and contemporary artistry featuring the world's first Lee Hwa exclusive 19K PurpleGold and in-house designed 999 Gold bars. Here's a closer look at what you can find in the collection. 999 Gold SG60 Commemorative Gold Bar Set Image courtesy of Lee Hwa. As a magnificent homage to Singapore's achievements and enduring spirit, this set ($268) features two impeccably designed 999 Pure Gold bars that have been crafted in-house. One bar celebrates the world-renowned icons of Singapore, while the second bar captures the essence of a typical day in Singapore. 999 Gold 2g SG60 Iconic Gold Bar Image courtesy of Lee Hwa. Serving as a profound commemoration of Singapore's 60th birthday, this limited-edition 999 Gold bar (from $468) features an engraving of the nation's most iconic landmarks and is designed to be a meaningful keepsake for every Singaporean. PurpleGold Vanda Collection Image courtesy of Lee Hwa. Image courtesy of Lee Hwa. The crown jewel of Lee Hwa's SG60 offerings is the PurpleGold Vanda Collection (from $1,984) which has been crafted with unparalleled precision so that each piece is adorned with enchanting purple hues, created from 19K solid gold. For SG60, Lee Hwa has masterfully created an exquisite orchid motif, drawing inspiration from Singapore's national flower, the beloved Vanda Miss Joaquim. The petals of these stunning pieces are rendered in distinctive Purple Gold and elegantly contrasted with white gold and accented with brilliant diamonds. The collection offers two versions — a single, resplendent PurpleGold orchid, and a breathtaking bouquet featuring a Purple Gold orchid paired with a brilliant diamond orchid. Lee Hwa's SG60 Collection is now available at all Lee Hwa boutiques across Singapore and online at
