Tough budget speech for Gordhan: economist
An economist feels Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has his work cut out for him this week.
Dawie Roodt says Gordhan will be under tremendous pressure when he delivers his Budget Speech on Wednesday.
Roodt described Gordhan as a powerful minister but says he'll have to address the nation on several important issues including government spending, privatisation of state owned enterprises and civil servant salaries.
Roodt says it took former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel 14 years to bring the State's debt levels to 25%.
He says the debt level has doubled under Zuma's administration.
"As a responsible citizen, what we want and what we should be asking for is less state spending. What is also important is not only a reduction in state spending, but also a much more efficient state spending. So those civil servants that are overpaid better start working," he said.
(File photo: Gallo Images)