budget

BUDGET VOTE SPEECHES: WHY SO FEW SPECIFICS?

17 July 2024
Parliament
SA Legal Academy

South Africa’s fledgling Government of National Unity has not had time to map a way forward in the level of detail required for more than generalised promises in speeches intended to justify departmental budget allocations in the 2024/25 Appropriation Bill.
The Bill lapsed when Parliament rose for the May elections and is the only Bill to have been revived.
Normally, parliamentary committees consider and adopt departmental annual performance plans in May, when budget votes are also delivered and the Appropriation Bill passed,
The May 2024 elections interrupted this process.

Since the work of South Africa’s seventh democratic Parliament began in earnest on 9 July 2024, its committees have focused on considering and adopting reports on national departmental 2024/25 annual performance plans. Among other things, each plan has outlined the budgetary requirements of the department concerned for the financial year in progress – in turn underpinning allocations proposed in the 2024/25 Appropriation Bill.

The budget vote process now under way requires each Minister and Deputy Minister to address a National Assembly mini plenary and, later, a NCOP plenary with the aim of justifying the allocation envisaged – hence the flurry of speeches delivered in Parliament during the past week. Generally, these speeches have been somewhat broadbrush. Few if any have said nothing new.

This is because the rationale behind each department’s budgetary requirements for the 2024/25 financial year – and, indeed, the allocation for that department proposed in the latest Appropriation Bill – was aligned to a strategic plan about to be reviewed under the seventh administration’s Government of National Unity (GNU).

Only when President Cyril Ramaphosa formally opens Parliament on 18 July 2024 with a speech outlining the outcomes of the recent GNU Cabinet lekgotla will plans for the seventh administration become clearer. Even then, the President’s speech may only briefly touch on some of these plans – which, over time, will take shape and eventually be published in the next round of five-year departmental strategic plans. These may entail proposed policy adjustments and proposed new legislation. On the other hand, they may not.

Meanwhile, links to budget vote speeches delivered in the National Assembly mini-plenaries and since published are provided below (newly added) (similar speeches will be delivered in the NCOP):

Agriculture

Minister John Steenhuisen

Deputy Minister Nokozula Capa

Basic Education

Minister Siviwe Gwarube

It is not clear if Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule delivered a speech

Chief Justice’s Office

Minister Thembi Simelane

Deputy Minister Andries Nel

Communications & Digital Technologies

Minister Solly Malatsi

Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele

Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa

It is not clear if Deputy Minister Zolile Burns-Ncamashe delivered a speech

Correctional Services

Minister Pieter Groenewald

Deputy Minister Lindiwe Ntshalintshali

Defence

Minister Angie Motshekga

It is not clear if Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla delivered a speech

Employment & Labour

Minister Nomakhosazana Meth

Deputy Minister Phumzile Mgcina

Deputy Minister Ntuthuko Sibiya

Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment

Minister Deon George

Deputy Minister Narend Singh

Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts

Government Communication & Information System

Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Deputy Minister Kenny Moralong

Health (both speeches were published on the National Government website but have since been removed; they have not yet been published on the department website)

Minister Aaron Motsoaledi (Politicsweb)

Deputy Minister Joe Phaahla’s speech is no longer available

Home Affairs

Minister Leon Schreiber

Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza

Human Settlements

Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi

Deputy Minister Tandi Mahambehlala

International Relations & Co-operation

Minister Ronald Lamola

It is not clear if Deputy Minister Alvin Botes delivered a speech

Justice & Constitutional Development