Budget 2026: Politial parties welcome Godongwana's decision not to hike tax

While Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana’s budget has been labelled as “boring” by some parties, they've welcomed his decision not increase tax.

Those in support of the budget said Godngwana’s speech showed positive signs for the country, with several reforms in various sectors.

But some parties on the opposition benches have rejected the budget, saying it won’t make much of an impact for the most vulnerable South Africans.

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The budget in 2026 saw less opposition compared to 2025 when Godongwana announced a value-added tax (VAT) increase.

But members of Parliament (MPs), like the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s finance spokesperson, Mark Burke, have welcomed the lack of surprises like another tax increase.

Burke said while it was a “boring budget”, it was a step in the right direction.

“Making budgeting boring again. There are some big DA policy wins in this budget. I think first and foremost, the fact that we’re finally giving South Africans relief by not increasing personal income tax and value-added tax. That’s very positive.”

But the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s Emerald Madlala said the budget doesn’t do enough for the poor and any tax relief will benefit only wealthier South Africans.

“What is happening is that you’ve got a few people who are so-called the middle class and the upper class who speak about taxation. People at home, the majority of people, are unemployed.”

Parties like the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), African Transformation Movement (ATM) and Rise Mzansi, supported the budget but called for sectors like health and education to be prioritised in the future.