Funding boost for essential services

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.

- BRANDON NEL

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.