Bittersweet reactions as Budget 3.0 is officially tabled

EFF leader Julius Malema says the 2025/26 fiscal framework presented by the Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana doesn’t speak to real issues that South Africans face.

Godongwana on Wednesday, finally tabled this years budget after two failed attempts, both derailed by objections to the proposed staggered 1% Value Added Tax (VAT) hike which has since been rescinded.

Malema says the budget shows that government has no plans to grow the economy or create jobs, but will always take from the people’s mouths.

He says the EFF won’t support a budget that cuts funding for education, healthcare, or infrastructure.

Meanwhile the DA’s Karabo Khakhau says they approve of the budget, as it speaks to growing the economy.

The Mkhonto Wesizwe party, the official opposition, says the budget delivered on Wednesday was full of lies and is unrealistic.

The party’s Des van Rooyen says the minister failed to consider struggling South Africans by not adding more products to the Zero-rated goods basket.

Delivering his budget speech in Parliament, Minister Godongwana touched on different priorities for the country, including investment in infrastructure, health, education, and social grants.

The minister also expressed confidence that in 2025/26, government debt is projected to stabilize at 77.4 per cent of GDP, even though the country’s debt-service costs remain high, sitting at over R426,3 billion.

In his budget, Minister Godongwana announced an increase in fuel levy for this financial year, which means motorists will be paying more at the pumps.

After a three-year freeze, the fuel levy will increase in June.

The general fuel levy on petrol will increase by 16 cents to R4.01 per litre and diesel will go up by 15 cents to R3.85 per litre.

MoF Budget Speech 21 May 2025

The South African Revenue Service also got a boost with R7.5 billion set aside for the institution over the next three years to assist in collecting more tax.

Godongwana said this will increase the effectiveness of SARS in collecting more revenue.

“Part of this allocation will be used to increase collections from debt owed to the fiscus. SARS has indicated that this could raise R20 billion to R50 billion in additional revenue per year,” he said.

South Africa’s budget trajectory is going to break the society and the country. This poses an existential risk for the country.

— T (@Uncle_Thaps) May 21, 2025

His neo-liberal policies has failed south africa. Is budget is always for the rich, why the open have to carry the burden

— Proudly Xenophobic 🇿🇦 (@RamakuelaMk) May 21, 2025

Sorry to say, but this budget speech in South Africa is a joke. It’s a slap in the face of the South African. Just shows the massive failure of the ANC government.

— mark 🇿🇦🎗️ (@m8rksa) May 21, 2025

Who told Enoch Godongwana that the best way to increase government revenue is through taxes?

South Africa is led by clowns seriously

— Loui’🔴 (@KiiNG_18) May 21, 2025

Enoch Godongwana thinks we are stupid https://t.co/Yeyb7vM5re

— ¿��¿ (@MohaleMotaung_) May 21, 2025

The motorists, commuters, health workers, teachers, scholars and pensioners are the biggest victims of the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana’s Budget.

— 💜Mao jnr🇿🇦 (@Remiazania2) May 21, 2025