Experts, political parties weigh in ahead of Budget 3.0

AS SOUTH Africa inches closer to the tabling of what is known as the '3.0 Budget' for the 2025-26 financial year, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is under immense pressure to address a gaping R75 billion Budget shortfall.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

This marks his third attempt at presenting a Budget in just two months, raising expectations and apprehensions alike.

Economist Dawie Roodt said Godongwana will certainly make sure that he has the DA on his side and the DA's support for his Budget.

“It will be very irresponsible for the Minister of Finance to go into Parliament without the DA’s support. You must get the buy-in of your most important coalition partner, and that of course is the DA,” Roodt said.

He also said with the VAT increases scrapped, he did not expect the zero-rating of the proposed additional food items.

However, Roodt said the question was whether there will be a further reduction in the increase on the various social grants and the salary increase for civil servants.

“Then lastly, if you can’t cut back on spending on people, then you cut back on spending on capital. Although he is going to say he is going to increase spending on A, B and C, that is probably not going to happen because we simply do not have the money.