Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni presenting his 2019 Budget Speech during the Plenary of the National Assembly. Photo: Elmond Jiyane/GCIS
It could be the toughest Budget Speech of the last decade. A stagnant economy already has Tito Mboweni on the ropes – but what time do we kick off?
Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni presenting his 2019 Budget Speech during the Plenary of the National Assembly. Photo: Elmond Jiyane/GCIS
Something tells us Tito Mboweni will need a stiff drink – and a reliable tin of pilchards – by the close of play on Wednesday. The finance minister has the unenviable task of delivering the Budget Speech for 2020, where a number of unpopular decisions regarding tax are expected be rolled out.
The Cabinet member has got a rising rate of unemployment and a dramatically reduced growth forecast to contend with. While Cyril Ramaphosa dreams of smart cities and an infrastructure revolution, Mboweni will have to address the practical elements of rebuilding an economy.
Eskom will likely be a major talking point: It’s been claimed that their days of receiving bailouts are over – something that we will believe when we see it. Elsewhere, VAT and fuel levies are being tipped to rise once more, much to the consternation of the oridnary South African citizen.
There’s only one way to find out what kind of a year lies in wait for us all, and that’s by following the events from Parliament. Much like we did with SONA, we’ve put all the important timings together:
You have a bunch of options at your disposal. All of eNCA, SABC and Newzroom Afrika will be broadcasting the live event, as will the official South African Parliamentary TV channel on DStv 408.
If you can’t get to a TV, there are YouTube live streams provided by Parliament (shared below). Furthermore, if you can’t find the time to watch the Budget Speech, just keep TheSouthAfrican open: We’ve got comprehensive text coverage from Parliament, which will provide updates on all the major developments as they happen.