WC Finance MEC hopes additional funds to education, health will help plug gaps
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Finance MEC Deidre Baartman says she hopes the additional funds allocated to provinces for education and health will help plug the gaps at both departments. During his budget speech two weeks ago, Finance Minister Enoch Gondongwana announced additional funds for provinces to retain teachers, healthcare professionals and hire new staff.
Earlier this year, more than 2,400 teaching posts were cut in the Western Cape because of a budget shortfall of R3.8 billion. Baartman re-tabled the Western Cape's 2025/26 budget on Tuesday, following the withdrawal of the national budget in March.
She said education and health would receive R100 billion each from the province's R269 billion budget over the next three years.
"It should be noted that Minister Godongwana announced additional funding for education and health in provinces. This funding will flow to provinces later in the year and does not form part of this budget. Once received, we will allocate the funding to the respective departments accordingly."
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