Ramaphosa confident GNU will present budget that promotes inclusive growth & job creation
Ramaphosa was addressing the official opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in Parliament on Tuesday.
FILE: President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his 2023 State of the Nation Address. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa says parties are still trying to find consensus on the budget before it's tabled in Parliament next month.
He said they’re having further discussions as the Government of National Unity (GNU) so they can all arrive at a budget everyone is happy with, after parties including some African National Congress (ANC) ministers, were opposed to the Value-added tax (VAT) hike proposal.
Ramaphosa was addressing the official opening of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders in Parliament on Tuesday.
Ramaphosa used the address to traditional leaders to speak about the budget fallout within the GNU following last week’s postponement.
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This followed his earlier remarks that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana didn’t just willy-nilly raise taxes and a lot of discussions went into the budget.
But Ramaphosa remains confident they will pass a budget accepted by everyone.
"The budget will be presented on the 12th of March. The Minister of Finance will mount this podium and present the budget to the nation. By then, we will have reached full consensus."
Ramaphosa said discussions will help parties arrive at a budget that promotes an inclusive and growing economy.
"We are undertaking further discussions so that we can arrive at a budget that everyone can have confidence in, a budget that promotes inclusive growth, supports job creation, and tackles poverty and inequality."