Budget 3.0: A Warning Light, Not a Victory Lap

The speech below was delivered by GOOD Leader Patricia de Lille, during today’s consideration of the 2025 Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposal:

This fiscal framework, the third iteration of Budget 2025, reflects both progress and a painful compromise. While Minister Godongwana succeeded in absorbing a R69 billion shortfall without entirely dismantling social or infrastructure spending, we cannot ignore that the price of political consensus has come at a cost to the people.

We’ve seen Political Parties shout victory, over the scrapping of the 0.5% VAT increase, but little reflection on what this actually means. Gone with it were vital reforms – the expansion of zero-rated food items, above-inflation grant increases, and relief for bracket creep.

Yes, this budget avoids collapse, but it is also a warning light. The real work lies ahead – reforming the way we build our budgets.

The GOOD Party has long advocated for Zero-Based Budgeting. A reform finally echoed in the Minister’s speech. It’s time we stop carrying forward inefficiencies and waste and start allocating funds based on what South Africans need.

We must settle the issue of a Basic Income Grant that sustains life and restores dignity. This is not a radical idea – It is the bare minimum in a country defined by extreme inequality.

This budget shows us what happens when politics trumps policy. While parties jockey for power, millions remain hungry, unemployed, and underserved.

Today’s vote is not on whether Budget 3.0 is marginally better than Budget 2.0.
There is no going back. The GOOD Party will support this framework – not because it is perfect, but because South Africans cannot wait any longer. We cannot ask the poor to carry the burden of political grandstanding.

The next step is the responsibility of the entire executive to grow the economy.

GOOD Policy Focus: GOOD advocates for policies that promote economic growth and job creation.

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