Petrol will rise by R3.06 a litre and diesel by up to R7.51/litre but a temporary R3/litre fuel levy relief will be in effect until 5 May
When workers marched and criticised the macroeconomic direction under Minister Trevor Manuel, it was never about personalities. It was about policy. It was about defending jobs, state capacity and redistribution
The projected economic growth trajectory remains insufficient to address structural unemployment
The growth outlook is insufficient to alter unemployment dynamics, some argued
Parties and labour organisations have slammed the 2026 Budget for failing to tackle low growth, high unemployment, and municipal distress, while cautiously welcoming tax relief and social grant increases
National treasury officials said the costing for the deployment of soldiers in crime-affected areas — as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, his Sona, had not yet been done
Over the next three years, growth is projected to average 1.8% and reach 2% by 2028
Labour federations Cosatu and the South African Federation of Trade Unions have led calls for a budget that addresses massive unemployment and weak growth
The global lender said controlling the public sector wage bill would be critical and commended the government’s plans to address inefficiencies and provide incentives for early retirement
SCORE: B+ Finance minister Godongwana’s leadership this year faced its first test during the tabling of the national budget. For the first time, the budget had to be re-tabled over a dispute about a proposed VAT increase, initiated by parties in the government of national unity. The minister was required to strike a balance between […]
The finance minister announced a lower inflation target of 3%, which the South African Reserve Bank has been pushing for
The city faces grant cuts unless a credible recovery plan is submitted, as tensions grow in the governing coalition
There is not enough transparency and the funds would be better spent on health and education
The Economic Freedom Fighters slammed the ruling as setting a dangerous precedent on taxation without oversight and vowed to fight on
uMkhonto weSizwe party is calling for the nationalisation of mineral resources, land redistribution without compensation and the expansion of the VAT zero-rated basket
The EFF criticises it as ‘unimaginative’ and not benefiting poorer South Africans, while the DA calls it a step towards ending ‘unchecked government spending’
The 21 May budget is lower than the R232.6 billion proposed in the March budget that was scrapped
The finance minister said the expenditure would be carried out ‘without compromising the fiscal strategy of sustainable public finances’
In his third prepared budget for the year, the minister said government debt would still stabilise this year but at 77.4% of GDP, higher than predicted in March
Now that a VAT increase has been ruled out, the finance minister must find another way to plug a R75bn gap or risk collapsing public services and investor confidence
