The postponement of today’s scheduled Budget Speech in Parliament is a historic and deeply troubling moment for our democracy. It is an undeniable demonstration of the chaos within the so-called Government of National Unity (GNU), exposing its lack of a coherent vision for our country.
For the first time in democratic South Africa, the national budget—a fundamental pillar of governance—has been subjected to the whims of internal party politics. This failure to present a budget on time will rattle investor confidence, send shockwaves through financial markets, and further erode public trust in government.
The GNU government cannot go into hiding. The people of South Africa need an explanation from the GNU government. This is not a moment of evasion and obfuscation; it is a moment where the cabinet has put our currency and economy in jeopardy and needs transparency and clarity.
The President has to make a public announcement to explain this calamity, and the Minister of Finance must make himself available for media interviews today.
What must be communicated to South Africans is:
- The funding priorities of this GNU government and its coherent plan for the country
- The full reasons for the postponement
- The full new timetable for the budget process
We must follow the law closely on this matter as it has weighty consequences.
The GNU was marketed as a bold step toward stability and collaboration. Instead, it has become a government of national failure. The inability to deliver its first budget is a final death blow to the so-called “GNUphoria.”
The reality is clear: rather than working for the people of South Africa, this government is consumed by internal power struggles and indecision.
A budget is not merely a financial document; it is a reflection of a government’s priorities, commitments, and competence. This postponement lays bare the GNU’s poor negotiation and execution, proving that it is ill-equipped to lead South Africa forward.
The country deserves a government that prioritizes effective leadership over political infighting. South Africans cannot afford to have their future placed in the hands of a dysfunctional coalition that cannot even meet its most basic obligations. This is nothing short of a national crisis.
Media Statement by
Roger Solomons: BOSA Acting Spokesperson
Wednesday 19 February 2025
Media Enquiries:
Roger Solomons – BOSA Acting Spokesperson – 072 299 3551