In the context of the high unemployment levels, especially among the youth, the persistent deeper levels of poverty and rising crime levels, the provincial budget prioritises the sustained provision of critical services to the public, while improving the sustainability of public finances to ensure growth and development.
The budget is a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to the vision articulated in the Growing Gauteng Together 2030 Plan, which is focused on economic recovery, investment, industrialisation, youth employment and the township economy.
The budget also elevated priorities anchored on townships, informal settlements and hostels, which are home to about 60% of Gauteng’s population. The focus on this demography is aimed at ensuring Gauteng’s economy is inclusive and redresses past injustices that still impede SA’s developmental agenda.
The budget is also aimed at sustaining the resourcing of key priority areas that include the acceleration of economic recovery and reconstruction; prioritising people’s health and wellness; and strengthening the state’s capacity to deliver efficiently.
Recognising the detrimental impact of the continuing damage and theft of public infrastructure, the budget is also dedicated to strengthening the battle against crime, corruption, vandalism and lawlessness in Gauteng.
For the current financial year, Gauteng received R155.9 billion in transfers from the national government. This is comprised of provincial equitable share and conditional grants. This is in addition to Gauteng’s revenue collection, which is expected to increase from R8bn in 2024/25 to R8.3bn in 2025/26 and R8.7bn in 2026/27.
The provincial government is hard at work ensuring the implementation of the revenue enhancement strategy as a means of generating revenue to fund projects aimed at growing the economy and job creation. Of specific focus are infrastructure projects. Gauteng departments of human settlements, education, roads and transport, health, and sport, arts, culture and recreation will receive the conditional grant funding for their infrastructure programmes.
A need to maintain the existing infrastructure assets to the original condition informs the allocation of R13.8bn while R22bn is availed to expand the capacity of existing infrastructure and provide new infrastructure assets.
These interventions seek to position Gauteng as a destination for investment and job opportunities, and to stabilise and grow its economy in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
- Maile is the Gauteng MEC for finance and economic development
Lebogang Maile
www.sowetanlive.co.za
