Budget 2023
Share

Mboweni: Plum season is over, but it can come again

accreditation
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni during a media briefing after his first mid-term budget speech at Parliament on October 24, 2018 in Cape Town (Gallo Images / Times Live / Esa Alexander)
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni during a media briefing after his first mid-term budget speech at Parliament on October 24, 2018 in Cape Town (Gallo Images / Times Live / Esa Alexander)

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni drew inspiration from his part-time job as a farmer to draw up Budget 2019.

The minister on Wednesday tabled the National Budget in Parliament.

In his opening remarks, he recalled that one year, his predecessor Trevor Manuel had handed out "succulent" plums to demonstrate the "times of plenty" SA found itself in.

This year, however, Mboweni was sharing the podium with an Aloe Ferox. This was to demonstrate that SA needed to plant seeds again, so that the economy could once more have plenty.

"As a part-time farmer, I know that in order for people to 'possess all these things', we have to plant anew. It is time for us to sow a seed of renewal and growth," he told the National Assembly.

The minister explained that after planting the seed, it would still need nurturing and protection in order to grow.

'Bitter and sweet'

"Despite our best efforts, sometimes, ravages and risks such as pests or rot could attack our green shoots. But we must persevere," he said. "We must prune and pluck away at the rot, until there is growth."

Mboweni pointed out the characteristics of the Aloe Ferox- a plant which is drought resistant and resilient. "It withstands the elements. We must take the bitter with the sweet," he said.

Mboweni said that by planting seeds of the Aloe Forex, SA could go back to the "plum years". He likened the budget to that Aloe Forex- something resistant and resilient.

"It will not be easy. There are no quick fixes. But our nation is ready for renewal. We are ready to plant the seeds of our future," Mboweni said.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.01
-0.4%
Rand - Pound
24.16
-0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.66
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.39
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.5%
Platinum
906.17
-1.9%
Palladium
1,006.16
0.0%
Gold
2,156.08
-0.2%
Silver
24.93
-0.5%
Brent-ruolie
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
66,252
0.0%
All Share
72,431
0.0%
Resource 10
53,317
0.0%
Industrial 25
100,473
0.0%
Financial 15
16,622
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders