THE Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, has invited South Africans to submit their suggestions on how the country’s budget should be spent ahead of the 2025 National Budget Speech, which will be delivered in February.
The Budget Speech is one of the most important moments in the government’s financial calendar, as it outlines how the country’s limited resources will be divided among different sectors, from healthcare to education to infrastructure development.
These issues, combined with the necessity to grow the economy and support the poorer sectors of the populations, make the budget allocations especially crucial.
Minister Godongwana is calling on South Africans to take part in this process and contribute their views on how the country’s finances should be managed.
Citizens are encouraged to submit suggestions on several key issues, including:
Government spending priorities: With limited funds, where should the government allocate resources to best support the population’s needs? This could involve funding for healthcare, education, or social grants.
Addressing the budget deficit: The government is currently facing a budget shortfall, which means spending exceeds income. Suggestions on how to reduce this shortfall and ensure long-term financial stability are welcome.
State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs): SOEs, such as Eskom, have been under financial strain. Ideas on how to stabilise and improve these entities’ finances are critical to the budget discussions.
Energy funding solutions: With blackouts still affecting many South Africans (in the form of load reduction), energy funding is a major concern. The government is looking for ways to secure reliable and sustainable energy sources.
Tax revenues: Increasing revenue through taxes is another important aspect of the budget. Suggestions on how the tax system can be improved, or how government can collect taxes more effectively, are welcome.
Debt sustainability: South Africa is managing a large national debt, and it is essential to maintain debt sustainability while avoiding more and more borrowing from other nations.
Municipal finances: Local government finances are also under pressure, and ideas on how to improve municipal budgets and spending are a priority.
These are just some of the topics South Africans can provide feedback on. The Minister is keen to hear from people across the country on these issues, ensuring that the final budget reflects the needs and priorities of the people.
Closing date for submissions: 12 February.
Budget address takes place on 19 February.
How to contribute:
Submitting your thoughts is simple. Contributions should be concise—no more than 300 words—and can be sent via the 2025 Budget Tips link on the National Treasury’s website.
You can also share your ideas on social media platforms, tagging the National Treasury using the hashtags #TipsForMinFin and #Budget2025. The Treasury’s social media handles are:
X (formerly Twitter) – @Treasury_RSA
LinkedIn – National Treasury RSA
TikTok – @TreasuryRSA
Facebook – National Treasury RSA
