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Godongwana tables mid-term budget as parties list demands

Published

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will deliver the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement in the National Assembly at 2pm on Wednesday. The Presidency confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend, while parties and unions set out what they want.

ActionSA MP Alan Beesley said Treasury must make bold reforms to get the economy going and address unemployment. He also wants the minister to address record fuel prices. Rise Mzansi expects a tax windfall in excess of R50 billion as a temporary measure.

Rise Mzansi spokesperson Mabine Seabe said the Treasury must rethink its reliance on rigid fuel levies. The DA wants a hard numerical debt to GDP fiscal rule written into law, said DA MP Kingsley Wakelin. IFP Chief Whip Nhlanhla Hadebe said more spending to combat gender-based violence and femicide is of particular importance.

The ACDP expects the statement to pave the way for economic recovery. Some organisations urge Godongwana to avoid an austerity budget while fuel prices are high.

COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks said the statement needs to inspire hope amid a challenging economic environment. He described stagnant growth, higher unemployment and service delivery failures. Analysts said the statement will likely test whether the gains of the February budget can be kept.

Key facts

Who
Cyril Ramaphosa (President of South Africa); Enoch Godongwana (Finance Minister); The Presidency (confirmed Ramaphosa's attendance); Matthew Parks (Parliamentary Coordinator, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU))
What
President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the 2026 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, which Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will deliver in the National Assembly at 2pm. Some organisations are calling on Godongwana to avoid an austerity budget amid high fuel prices.
When
21 October 2026
Where
Parliament, National Assembly, South Africa
Status
Reported

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