Try GOLD - Free
Funding boost for essential services
Cape Argus
|December 12, 2025
A SHOCK R1.07bn windfall from national government has forced the Western Cape to tear up and rework more than R2.3bn in its budget as it scrambles to fund strained hospitals, crowded schools and storm-hit roads.
The money landed after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and his team pushed through late-year adjustments for provinces, leaving the Western Cape racing to fit the allocations into its books while dealing with rising pressure on basic services.
The province's economy is expected to grow by 1.2% in 2025, almost double the national forecast of 0.7%.
The province's total spending has risen from R87.99bn to R89.72bn for the year. This is driven by national grant top-ups, extra equitable share funding, R924m in rollovers for delayed national transfers and ongoing projects, and shifts between departments for shared services such as infrastructure and school sport delivery.
This story is from the December 12, 2025 edition of Cape Argus.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Cape Argus
Cape Argus
Dobson slams 'poor' behaviour after Sharks double
THE Stormers head into the Six Nations break with more questions than answers after another costly lapse in discipline and execution saw their United Rugby Championship (URC) form falter again.
2 mins
February 02, 2026
Cape Argus
CITY FACES BACKLASH OVER NEW HOUSING TENDERS
It is recycling empty promises, say activists
3 mins
February 02, 2026
Cape Argus
Blouberg hero (80) dies in sea-kayaking incident
JOHN Flanigan, a well-known and highly respected local resident, has died following an incident at sea offshore South of On-the-Rocks, Bloubergstrand, on his sea-kayak.
1 min
February 02, 2026
Cape Argus
High-stakes thriller that grips from the start
SOME thrillers ease you in.
2 mins
February 02, 2026
Cape Argus
Proteas seal historic series win over England
South Africa established a solid foundation for a series victory with a strong performance in the opening two quarters of the third and final Test against the England Roses at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon.
1 mins
February 02, 2026
Cape Argus
Court rules in favour of teacher WCED disciplined
THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) finds itself under scrutiny once again, facing a significant setback in a disciplinary case involving a teacher from Mitchells Plain.
2 mins
February 02, 2026
Cape Argus
Myanmar junta calls civil servants back to work
MYANMAR'S junta called yesterday for ex-civil servants who quit their jobs in protest over the coup five years ago to report back to work, pledging to remove absent state employees from \"blacklists\".
1 mins
February 02, 2026
Cape Argus
Is SA's veterinary system breaking down?
SOUTH Africa's Department of Agriculture has been struggling to contain and prevent the further spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a virus that infects livestock and impacts negatively on both farmers and consumers.
5 mins
February 02, 2026
Cape Argus
Hunt suffers defeat in first home game
CR Belouizdad ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over a new-look Stellenbosch FC in the CAF Confederation Cup Group C match played at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Sunday afternoon.
2 mins
February 02, 2026
Cape Argus
Amakhosi edge Zesco to boost African hopes
KAIZER
2 mins
February 02, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size