logo
Budget 3.0: R1 trillion allocated to infrastructure projects, says Godongwana

Budget 3.0: R1 trillion allocated to infrastructure projects, says Godongwana

Eyewitness News21-05-2025

CAPE TOWN - Infrastructure continues to be the anchor of the 2025 budget, with more than R1 trillion to be pumped into several projects over the next three years.
According to the National Treasury and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, the public sector will spend most of the money, as it invests in economic infrastructure.
Moreover, the funds will be mostly led by state-owned companies.
Tabling the highly anticipated third version of the budget, Godongwana says quality infrastructure investment strengthens productive capacity and creates jobs.
ALSO READ: Budget 3.0: Economists speculate Godongwana could lift freeze on fuel levy
The latest budget says the proposals outlined in the March 2025 budget review on infrastructure investments remain unchanged.
During that March budget, Godongwana said public infrastructure spending in the medium term would amount to more than R1 trillion, focusing on the three sectors of transport, water and energy.
Today's budget continues on the same path, with billions earmarked for strategic infrastructure for the next three years.
"Public infrastructure spending over three years will exceed the R1 trillion mark. This spending will focus on maintaining and repairing existing infrastructure, building new infrastructure and acquiring equipment and machinery."
Godongwana says the largest investment will go to transport and logistics at R402 billion, with R93 billion of that going to the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to maintain the country's 24,000 km national road network.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Saru declares significant loss in 2024 financial report – but 2025 outlook positive
Saru declares significant loss in 2024 financial report – but 2025 outlook positive

Daily Maverick

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Maverick

Saru declares significant loss in 2024 financial report – but 2025 outlook positive

Despite a large deficit, the South African Rugby Union is optimistic about the short-to-medium-term future. The South African Rugby Union (Saru) reported a R93-million loss for the 2024 financial year, which was expected and forecast, despite record earnings, its latest financial statements reveal. On the up side, new sponsorships and becoming a full shareholder of the United Rugby Championship (URC) from next month, has led to a bold prediction of a R100-million surplus in the current financial year. Summary 2024 financial year (reported) Loss: R93-million (expected and already offset in early 2025) Commercial revenue: R1.552-billion (up from R1.44-billion in 2023) Total income (including grants): R1.76-billion World Rugby grant: R186-million Merchandising: Doubled from R30-million to R62-million Expenses: R1.871-billion (up 2.9% from R1.816-billion) World Rugby events: R133-million Player image rights: R148-million (+R24-million) Private equity transaction costs: R13-million URC/northern hemisphere franchises: R446-million National teams including Springboks: R433-million (-R27m from 2023) 2025 outlook Forecast revenue: Above R2-billion Projected surplus: R100-million Drivers: New sponsorships Full URC membership Continued commercial growth According to the financial report, the R93-million deficit had already 'been wiped out' over the first six months of 2025. Overall, in 2024, group commercial revenues exceeded R1.5-billion for the first time (R1.552-billion), up from R1.44-billion in 2023. Total income with the addition of grants (principally from World Rugby of R186-million) took total income to R1.76-billion. Revenues for 2025 are forecast to exceed R2-billion. The 7.8% increase in revenues was attributable to increased broadcast revenues in a non-Rugby World Cup year, competition sponsorships and a strong performance in merchandising receipts, which more than doubled from R30-million to R62-million. Expenses increased from R1.816-billion to R1.871-billion. The 2.9% increase was put down to investment in hosting three World Rugby tournaments (R133-million), a R24-million increase in player image rights (to R148-million), and the costs associated with the mooted private equity transaction (R13-million). Total expenditure attributable to the northern hemisphere international franchise competition was R446-million, while Saru was still able to make a full distribution to member unions. Spending on the No 1 world-ranked team, the Springboks, and other national teams was R433-million, a reduction of R27-million on the Rugby World Cup-winning year of 2023 (R460-million). 'Reporting a loss can never be desirable, but the irony is that we are more than satisfied with our position,' said Saru CEO Rian Oberholzer. 'We had budgeted for a loss in 2024 in the expectation that the members would approve the private equity transaction that they had sought, releasing funds to cover the deficit. 'When that did not happen, we continued with our planned commercial reset, and other revenue generation plans, which have borne fruit. We are in the very rare position among our international peers of continuing to be debt-free and confident of posting a surplus in 2025.' European costs Saru's biggest accumulated cost over the past eight years has been paying to participate in URC (and the Pro14 competition before that). The cost of securing South Africa's place in northern hemisphere rugby, which was accelerated by the collapse of Super Rugby in 2020, has been R2.2-billion. According to the finance notes, Saru currently pays R392-million annually for top club teams to compete in URC and European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR). Without this contribution, the Bulls, Cheetahs, Lions, Sharks and Stormers would have no international competition. Another R54-million is paid to travel and other associated costs for the teams. Saru also paid R347-million to member unions (the 15 provinces) to ensure their existence. Saru president Mark Alexander highlighted a period of significant challenges and growth for the organisation. Despite the unsuccessful private equity transaction, it elevated Saru's profile and led to the exploration of alternative commercial initiatives, including a new commercial app and digital platform to diversify revenue streams. The Saru president acknowledged a financial loss for the period, but emphasised that the R2.2-billion investment was made to secure future participation and full membership in the URC and EPCR by the end of June 2025. He also noted that budgets for 2025-2027 had been secured, ensuring financial stability. Plans include digital transformation and leveraging partnerships for growth beyond 2028. Alexander also praised the Springboks' continued world-class performance, ranking No 1 in 2023 and 2024. Oberholzer said the financial outlook beyond next year was equally healthy, with strong revenues forecast for 2026 with new competition formats in the pipeline. 'The income that SA Rugby generates all goes back into supporting the growth and promotion of rugby in the country,' he said. 'It allows us to fund Springbok campaigns, expand women's rugby programmes and fuel our other national teams. It pays for our members' activities in their communities as well as their professional teams. 'It underwrites our rugby safety programme BokSmart; supports referee and coaching development and our age group competitions as well as development programmes, and allows us in turn on sell-out Test match entertainment and our domestic competitions. 'Ultimately, every rand that we earn goes into powering the game in some shape or form and after a challenging 2024, we have a good news story to tell our South African rugby community as we look ahead.' DM

EFF loses fuel levy court challenge
EFF loses fuel levy court challenge

Mail & Guardian

time5 hours ago

  • Mail & Guardian

EFF loses fuel levy court challenge

EFF leader Julius Malema. (X) The The party's application, lodged against Finance Minister The EFF argued that it was unlawful because it was not introduced through a Money Bill, as required by section 77 of the Constitution. The party described the court's ruling as 'a betrayal of the poor and the working class' and accused Godongwana's office of sidestepping democratic procedures in the management of public finances. 'Taxation without representation is arbitrary and unconstitutional,' the party said. The ANC-led government of national unity was doing everything in its power 'to protect the interests of those who continue to benefit from the apartheid economy, while subjecting the masses of our people to economic misery'. Godongwana has insisted that he acted within existing legislation. In his He added that it had been frozen since 2021, and the increase was necessary to preserve the real value of the levy in the face of inflation and declining revenue. He warned that halting the increase would result in a R3.5 billion shortfall for the fiscus, necessitating further borrowing, spending cuts or alternative tax increases. 'The fuel levy is not a new tax. It is a regulatory adjustment falling under existing legislation and its increase does not require a Money Bill,' Godongwana argued in the affidavit, adding that freezing the levy any further would compromise the integrity of the budget and limit the state's ability to deliver services. The court's ruling allowed the increase to proceed and, on Wednesday, fuel prices rose accordingly for the month of June. However, a dip in global oil prices and modest strengthening of the rand brought slight relief for motorists. EFF leader 'It is not the EFF that got rejected; it is the people of South Africa who lost. When you increase fuel, you increase everything, transport, food, the cost of living. Our people are already suffering. This is an extra blow to the working class,' he said. The EFF would not abandon the matter, Malema said, indicating that it was considering further legal avenues, as well as a legislative push in parliament to close loopholes that allow the treasury to act unilaterally. EFF treasurer general Omphile Maotwe, who has led the party's engagements on budget matters, reiterated its position that the matter should have come before parliament. 'The levy seeks to recover revenue after the courts invalidated the unlawful VAT increase proposed earlier this year. By using the Customs and Excise Act to bypass section 77 of the Constitution, the minister is undermining the democratic function of parliament and the people's right to participate in fiscal policy decisions,' she said. Maotwe said the EFF would submit proposals to amend the relevant sections of the Customs and Excise Act and the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act to ensure no future taxation could be implemented without a parliamentary vote. While the EFF's application was dismissed, legal observers say the court did not definitively rule on the constitutional questions raised, which could leave the door open for further challenge. While the government is technically within its rights to use the Customs and Excise Act to amend levies, the broader question of public accountability in tax decisions remains unresolved, constitutional law expert professor Pierre de Vos said. 'There's a grey area here. The Constitution requires that money bills originate in the National Assembly, but there are long-standing statutes like the Customs and Excise Act that give the executive certain powers. Whether those powers are now unconstitutional is a debate we may see return to the courts.' The EFF said it would use all platforms, legal and political, to hold the treasury accountable. 'We will not rest while unelected officials continue to impose taxes behind the back of parliament. The people must have a voice in every cent that is taken from their pockets,' Malema said.

SA Rugby in the pound seats as international rivals struggle to make ends meet
SA Rugby in the pound seats as international rivals struggle to make ends meet

IOL News

time6 hours ago

  • IOL News

SA Rugby in the pound seats as international rivals struggle to make ends meet

Saru CEO Rian Oberholzer was happy to report a R100m profit for the union this week. Photo: Supplied Image: Supplied South African rugby is set to buck the global trend and report a profit of more than R100 million for 2025, clearing 2024's losses and ensuring the 15 member unions receive their full funding, while support for the Springboks and all national teams continues unchecked. This good news emerged from the annual meeting of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) in Cape Town on Thursday. Last year, South African rugby recorded a loss of R93 million due to its investment in northern hemisphere rugby competitions, but SA Rugby has already wiped out that deficit with a strong start to 2025. This is in contrast to many rival countries, who are under severe financial pressure. Other international federations have lost as much as R913 million, with five other Tier One nations reporting losses of between R588 million and R181 million. The next 'best' performance after South Africa's was a loss of R126 million, members at the meeting were told. SA Rugby's continued investment into membership of northern hemisphere competitions led to a group loss in 2024, but the organisation had already wiped out that deficit with a strong start to 2025 - more here: 👍 — Springboks (@Springboks) June 5, 2025 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, said that participation in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) came at a net cost of R124 million in 2024. 'We have been investing in the long-term future of South African rugby to become full members of the URC for the best part of eight years,' said Oberholzer. 'It has come at a significant cost to the sport, but there is no doubt that it has been the right thing to do. 'Once we fulfil certain membership obligations this year, we will begin to reap the on- and off-field rewards of such investment. 'If we had not undertaken this journey, we would have been reduced to playing only domestic competitions, which would have had catastrophic high-performance as well as financial ramifications for rugby in South Africa. 'It has been a tough financial road, but we have annually outperformed our global peers since the pandemic, while taking on the unusual cost of our investment into the URC and EPCR. 'Reporting a loss can never be desirable, but the irony is that we are more than satisfied with our position,' said Oberholzer. 'We had budgeted for a loss in 2024 in the expectation that the members would approve the private equity transaction that they had sought, releasing funds to cover the deficit. 'When that did not happen, we continued with our planned commercial reset and other revenue generation plans, which have borne fruit. We are in the very rare position among our international peers of continuing to be debt-free and confident of posting a surplus in 2025.'

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