Cape Town – In the run-up to one of the most important annual government events, the budget speech, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has invited South Africans to submit their tips on what they would like to see in the National Budget.
Gordhan returned in December to the portfolio he held from 2009 to 2014 in a turbulent week when President Jacob Zuma fired Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister in favour of untested David van Rooyen, before recalling Gordhan after markets tumbled.
This is your chance to tell Gordhan what he should do with your hard-earned cash before he delivers his speech in parliament on February 24.
Global economic conditions have deteriorated since the publishing of the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement in October, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.
“Sentiment towards emerging markets has grown negative and developing countries are grappling with various challenges. South Africa still faces the challenges of lower economic growth, widespread unemployment and inequality,” it said.
According to the ministry government’s budget in 2016/17 will amount to over R1.3trn and will be spent towards “wages, goods and services, infrastructure and supporting the poor”.
Gordhan would like your ideas on:
a) What are the three things that government does very well?
b) What are the three things that government should stop doing?
c) What are the three areas that government spending should be directed to?
d) How can SA achieve inclusive economic growth?
So go on, send us your budget tips and we'll make sure Gordhan receives them.
Tips can also be sent via:
- Facebook: National Treasury South Africa
- Twitter Handle: #Budget2016 and Follow @NationalTreasu2
- National Treasury website.