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Cape Town - Although Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene called on the public for tips on how to manage SA's finances ahead of his National Budget on Wednesday, many taxpayers saw it as a chance to take a swipe at President Jacob Zuma.
"Consider whether the number of government departments we currently have is necessary to reduce spending," wrote Fin24 user Shaun.
"Also recover all the fruitless and wasteful expenditure from the staff responsible, especially where they have been paid more than what they should have been. Reduce the costs for the legal battles of ministers and staff."
Fin24 user Thami would like more focus on the progress with infrastructure build that will service the economy, including projects relating to Eskom and Sanral.
For Fin24 user Paul there are certain key threats to the country which must be addressed through finding financial solutions. These are certain weak schools, corruption and mismanagement, youth unemployment and the problems with state owned companies.
"Solutions should not be limited just to the allocation of money," he cautioned.
READ: Nene unlikely to escape controversy in budget
Rand versus dollar
The woes of the rand against the dollar is a worry Fin24 user Kamogelo would like Zuma and Nene to address.
"I would like to see the rand be more competitive against the dollar. That way we can have more buying power. That would also reduce the petrol price and basically the inflation in the country. With that being done we would have fewer strikes in the country, because people would be able to do more with their money," he wrote.
On Zuma
A number of Fin24 users seem to have a problem with Zuma himself.
Fin24 user Adri wrote: "Get rid of Zuma, then maybe your budget will balance."
Fin24 user Byron added that he would like to see taxpayers only "subsidising" one of Zuma's wives.
"If the president wants more than one wife, then he should pay for his 'nice-to-haves' himself.
"Also make sure that 'never and never again' will there be another 'Nkandla' in this country. Put the necessary controls in place from a Treasury point of view to curb this abuse of office going forward."
Byron would also like to see "the right people appointed in the right positions for the right reasons".
"Cadre deployment has failed the government, especially at local government level and if the government still thinks they have succeeded with this approach, why is South Africa burning like it was in the 1980s?" he asked.
ALSO READ: Budget speech: Who to tax?
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