Budget Speech 2020: Here’s what South Africans want

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has probably woken up this morning to find the weight of millions of South Africans on his shoulders. That’s because, believe it or not, the Budget Speech 2020 is a big deal. 

The National Budget Speech 2020 is the government’s spending plan for the coming financial year. Mboweni is responsible for allocating money to the government’s different objectives and programmes which he will address on Wednesday 26 February. 

Why is it important for South Africans you ask? Well, it outlines the government’s priorities for the next financial year and the question always remains — will the people be part of those priorities? 

Budget Speech 2020: Where will Mboweni place importance? 

Budget allocations are a key indicator of the level of importance the government places on certain issues.  

For instance, two of the most pressing issues to many South Africans is that of Eskom and load shedding and corruption. 

If Mboweni, like President Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) earlier this month has a plan to counter the rolling blackouts then he should be okay declared decent at least. 

If not — it will most likely be a tough day for him. 

Here’s what South Africans want to hear during the Budget Speech 2020 

Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Appropriations Sfiso Buthelezi, speaking on growth areas for the country, said that agriculture and tourism should be high up on Mboweni’s list. 

Another Twitter user said they hope income tax will not increase. 

“Goodluck to the middle class, let’s hope income tax won’t increase,” said the user. 

Another suggested that Mboweni cut MP salaries. 

“How about we cut MP salaries and give them minimum wage until they start performing?” they suggested. 

Another user said they hope South Africa can avoid another VAT increase. 

“So it looks like we will have another VAT increase in the budget. Hope it only goes to 16%, might go higher. Also, levies and sin taxes are going to be crazy,” said the user. 

“Do not tax us, reduce government costs! Simple!” said another. 

“We want to know your financing plan for the sovereign wealth fund. We also want to know whether you think the move to bail out SOEs with hard-earned worker’s pension fund is a good move…considering PIC capture revelations,” said another user. 

Here’s what South Africans don’t want to hear 

A Twitter user who in his bio says he’s “allergic to anonymous tweeters” explained that he doesn’t want any fancy frills for the budget speech. He explained that keeping it simple and getting straight to the point is the most important thing for him. 

“Would it be too much to ask for no red carpet, no drama, no frills, just a to-the-point speech? We know its desperate times and we expect desperate measures. Don’t sweeten the message with fake humour and cliches. 20 minutes tops and all over. Who am I kidding?” he said. 

Another user said that if Ramaphosa didn’t make mention of gender-based violence (GBV) in his SONA, then why would Mboweni make mention of it in his Budget Speech 2020? 

Already fed up, the user said she would protest: 

“I will be at the Budget Speech 2020 to protest! Cyril Ramaphosa did not mention GBV in his SONA2020 speech so we doubt Tito Mboweni will put much towards it. Julius Malema and male leaders use GBV as weapons and yet do nothing towards ending it. Parolees released to kill again!” she said.