Ramaphosa praises Godongwana for ‘difficult’ budget
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced an increase in social grants during the tabling of the budget on Wednesday afternoon.
"Social grants are allocated R284.7 billion in 2025/26. This allows us to increase the old age and disability grants by R130 to R2 315 in April, the Child Support Grant by R30 to R560 per month. The foster care grant by R70,” he told MPs.
"The COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD), in its current form, will be extended by a year to end March 2026. R35.2 billion is allocated for this purpose."
He says R28.9 billion is added to the health budget, mainly to keep about 9,300 healthcare workers in hospitals and clinics.
For Basic Education, R19.1 billion has been added over the medium term to keep approximately 11,000 teachers in classrooms.
READ: VAT ‘not only way’ to balance books
President Cyril Ramaphosa said difficult choices were made in finalising the 2025 budget. Speaking to the media, he acknowledged extensive discussions within the government of national unity.
Ramaphosa urged parties to study and debate the budget, especially given declining revenue.
He also praised Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana for handling the budget.
"The minister was faced with a lot of challenges and difficulties on how to balance the budget, but also not wanting to cut spending. So he had to juggle. Parliament will discuss all of that and they must not bring solutions."
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