THE theme for this year’s budget, “Reaffirming and Strengthening Gauteng’s Role in the Continental Economy” highlights the province’s critical position as a key player in the regional economic landscape.
Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile, presented the province’s budget today, at the Gauteng Legislature.
“Gauteng is still the nerve-centre of the regional economy,” MEC Maile highlighted, while reinforcing that the challenges confronting the province are not insurmountable.
Health, education, Policing to fight the scourge of crime, received adjusted budgets under the 7th administration, with MEC detailing the government’s determination to cultivate an inclusive and sustainable economy despite prevailing global uncertainties.
With Joburg set to host the much anticipated G20 in November 2025, Maile also increased the Infrastructure Department’s budget.
The five-year budget approach aligns with the Medium-Term Development Plan, focusing on fiscal discipline and impactful service delivery in the province.
On e-tolls, Maile said: “Liquidity pressures are escalating, with net cash balances projected to turn negative by the 2025/26 financial year,” attributing this largely to e-toll debt and health service accruals.
The primary objective of the budget is to optimise government expenditure to maximise socio-economic impact, noting that compensation for employees constitutes the largest portion of government spending, with efforts to keep it below 60% of overall expenditure, he said.
“We must ensure that staffing decisions are based on efficiency, productivity, and impact,” emphasising the need to transition toward a performance-focused framework in public service delivery.
The MEC, who seemed buoyant during his speech, announced the budget allocations for the 2025/2026 financial year, providing a quantitative overview of the comprehensive Budget speech, which outlines the qualitative value and priorities for various departments.
Key allocations include Office of the Premier which has been allocated R1.5 billion in 2025/26; R4.6 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
Gauteng Provincial Legislature: R1.2 billion in 2025/26, increasing to R3 billion over the MTEF.
Department of Economic Development: R1.6 billion in 2025/26; R4.9 billion in total over the MTEF.
Department of Health: R66 billion in 2025/26; R209.1 billion over the MTEF.
Department of Education: R69.6 billion in 2025/26; R211.2 billion over the MTEF.
Department of Social Development: R5.5 billion in 2025/26; R16.8 billion over the MTEF.
Department of Roads and Transport: R9.7 billion in 2025/26; R28 billion over the MTEF.
The word ‘bankrupt’ did not feature this time, following reports the province could face severe liquidity shortfall, leading to bankruptcy.
Eskom, water shortages and the issue of potholes were also prioritised and urgent intervention will be carried out, including broken robots, ahead of the G20.
Top image supplied (MEC Lebogang Maile, seen in tow with ‘money suitcase’ as his boss Premier Panyaza Lesufi offers a smile).
