MINISTER Tito, the people have spoken!
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will deliver his first budget speech in the National Assembly today and Mzansi has been vocal about telling Mboweni what he should do.
There are expectations about plans for economic growth and job creation. The people have opinions about where he should find the money to deliver on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address.
Mboweni’s budget is expected to give clarity on the Eskom rescue plan following the return of load shedding, and Ramaphosa’s likely unbundling of Eskom.
Mboweni is probably facing his most difficult budget.
Economics Professor Christopher Malikane said the budget will not be good for the ANC in the upcoming election.
He said: “Poverty, unemployment and inequality are on the rise, not because of Jacob Zuma but due to the structural problems of the country’s economy.”
Malikane said the following areas were most likely to get attention.
- Eskom debts will be converted into equity and partial privatisation. Old infrastructure which requires high maintenance will be sold to the private sector.
- South African Airways will probably be divided into three divisions under SAA Holdings and also partially privatised.
- While Ramaphosa spoke about computer tablets, issues relating to pit toilets, dilapidated infrastructure and socio-economic issues had to be addressed first.
- Government will most likely freeze state employment and is likely to retrench. Job creation is expected to come from the private sector.
- Social grants are set to increase.
SunReaders shared their expectations on Facebook.
- Mthandeni Mthabela said: “Unemployment is sky high. He must pay jobless youth R1 500 every month like a grant.”
- Tshilisanani “Chillboy” Musoliwa said: “R800 for unemployed people with degree or diploma, and R300 for school dropouts.”
- Velly Ramashala said: “N****s that date our sisters must pay R550 to brothers-in-law when meeting them.”
- Mabwedza Lameck said: “I hope he will increase VAT in order to finance Eskom and other expenditure.”
- Sam Taeli said: “Lower the salaries of ministers and MPs. Reduce the number of parliamentarians!”
- Snethemba Nkwanyana said: “Please, Minister! Drop the price of magoshas.”
- Musa Ndobe said: “Don’t touch the petrol price.”
- Ntsundeni Munyai said: “Food prices must drop.”
- Zinhle Zulu said: “Free data for all.”
- Gbooi Mokobake said: “Increase beer by R10 and petrol by R15 a litre so we can have less noise on the streets.”
