Gordhan's budget pronouncements fair: Zikalala
Economic Development MEC, Sihle Zikalala, says the rich must subsidise the development of countries like South Africa - where the gap between the wealthy and poor continues to widen.
Zikalala's statements are in reaction to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's 2017 budget speech.
Gordhan announced that those earning more than R1.5-million will now have to pay tax of 45% on their taxable income.
Zikalala has described the budget as fair - given the economic conditions on the globally.
"We will want to see things like National Health Insurance, and education given more priority - things that are relevant to the economy, which are more important," he said.
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Zikalala spoke to Newswatch from Ladysmith - where his department has been hosting a career expo.
He says it's important to encourage entrepreneurship in the tourism sector - especially in rural areas - to grow the provincial economy.
"Tourism is the only sector that has nit shed jobs so far, and it is growing - it is contributing 10% to the GDP of our country," he said.