Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to deliver the national budget speech this afternoon at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Cape Town, marking the third attempt to pass the fiscal plan after weeks of political deadlock.
The budget has faced fierce opposition, with initial proposals—including a controversial VAT hike—rejected by opposition parties within the Government of National Unity (GNU). The ANC, lacking its traditional parliamentary majority, has been forced to negotiate with coalition partners, leading to delays and revisions.
President Ramaphosa’s Absence
President Cyril Ramaphosa, embroiled in a high-profile meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump, is expected to dial into the budget proceedings remotely. His absence underscores the competing demands on the presidency amid South Africa’s complex political landscape.
Opposition Demands Fiscal Discipline
ActionSA’s Athol Trollip, speaking ahead of the budget, welcomed the GNU’s eventual consensus but criticized the drawn-out process. “Parties were holding the country to ransom,” he said, urging stricter fiscal measures, including:
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Reducing cabinet size
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Boosting SARS funding to combat tax evasion and illicit economies
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Increasing NPA resources to prosecute corruption cases, including those linked to state capture
Trollip also questioned Godongwana’s credibility, citing the minister’s failed court defense of the VAT increase before settling out of court. “There isn’t much confidence in him or the ANC,” he said, though he acknowledged the budget standoff had demonstrated growing public and parliamentary influence over fiscal policy.
MK Party Calls for Godongwana’s Removal
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has demanded Godongwana’s resignation, though Trollip dismissed the MK’s stance as “ridiculous,” given its push for Jacob Zuma’s return.
A Test for the GNU
The repeated budget delays have exposed fractures in the GNU, with analysts viewing today’s vote as a critical test of its stability. While Godongwana is expected to secure passage this time, the protracted battle has eroded confidence in the ANC’s economic stewardship ahead of the 2026 local elections.
As South Africans await the speech, the focus remains on whether the revised budget will prioritize austerity, corruption crackdowns, and service delivery—or risk further backlash from a disillusioned electorate.