Acting President Gwede Mantashe stated that the absence of President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile at the budget speech does not diminish its significance, as the key figure is Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.
Godongwana is expected to deliver his third budget speech in Parliament on Wednesday.
This happens as Ramaphosa is in the US to try to mend relations with President Donald Trump’s administration, while Mashatile is securing investors in France.
Mantashe said he will be there to ensure that the process is handled smoothly, as given the responsibility.
He leads the nation as the Government of National Unity (GNU) strives to showcase itself positively by delivering a national budget that garners widespread support.
“There is no vacuum in South Africa. The President is in the US, the Deputy President is in France. I have been given the responsibility to act and when I act, I take full responsibility; I don’t act half.
“So, this is not diminishing the budget. Godongwana has the responsibility to present the budget. And he will do that tomorrow, even when the President is there,” Mantashe.
He added that not even a word from the president is needed as “it is the Minister of Finance who presents the budget.”
Meanwhile, parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have urged Godongwana to table a budget fit for the people and not capitalists.
“If the budget doesn’t serve the people, they must know: There will be a fight in Parliament. We are not here to nurse egos,” he said.
Politics
