Reflections on the Post-Gauteng Budget Speech Breakfast

Issued by Ismail Joosub on behalf of the FW de Klerk Foundation:

The FW de Klerk Foundation proudly attended the Post-Gauteng Budget Speech Breakfast on 19 March 2025. This event provided a platform for stakeholders to engage with the recently tabled Gauteng Provincial Budget for the 2025/26 financial year, presented by Finance and Economic Development MEC, Mr Lebogang Maile. The gathering aimed to dissect the budget’s implications for the province’s economic trajectory and service delivery commitments. MEC Maile unveiled a comprehensive budget totalling R527,2 billion for the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (“MTEF”), with allocations increasing from R171,5 billion in 2025/26 to R180,5 billion by 2027/28. This fiscal plan underscores the Gauteng Provincial Government’s dedication to fostering inclusive development and enhancing service delivery across critical sectors.

Key allocations within the 2025/26 budget include:

• Education: R69,6 billion to enhance access to quality education and early childhood development, focusing on inclusivity and improved outcomes for vulnerable groups;
• Health: R66 billion to modernise healthcare infrastructure and improve service delivery, particularly in underserved communities; and
• Economic Development: R1,6 billion to promote investment and develop economic infrastructure, particularly in townships and peri-urban areas.

Representing the FW de Klerk Foundation at the event, Ismail Joosub, Manager of Constitutional Advancement, expressed concerns regarding the budgetary allocations, particularly the disparity between funding for economic development and other sectors. Joosub noted the significant discrepancy between the R1,6 billion allocated to economic development compared to the R69,6 billion for education and R66 billion for health. He questioned how the provincial Treasury justified such a limited allocation for economic development, given its crucial role in…continue reading this article HERE.

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane: {2009 – 2018} Maite Nkoana-Mashabane served as Minister of International Relations and Cooperation from 2010 to 2018. She was involved in various international forums and initiatives, focusing on issues such as peace and security in Africa and promoting South Africa’s interests in the global arena.