Budget 3.0: lauded by GNU, but snubbed by opposition

POLITICAL parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) have welcomed Budget 3.0 by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, saying it is pro-poor, while the opposition rejected it as superficial and out of touch with the nation's economic realities.

- KAMOGELO MOICHELA

Delivering his budget speech in Parliament yesterday, Godongwana outlined key fiscal priorities, including sustained investment in infrastructure, health, education, and social grants, alongside a firm stance on maintaining the VAT rate at 15%.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) praised the speech, stating that Godongwana presented a Budget proposal which is a manifestation of coalition politics in action.

“It is a workable outcome in the context of trying economic times,” it said.

The party said was not prepared to get behind a budget that maintained unsustainable government expenditure on the back of raising VAT, making struggling South Africans pay for inefficiencies and waste in Government - “but today’s version from Minister Godongwana has gone some way to undo this.”