By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cabinet has affirmed its support for the 2025 National Budget tabled by the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday, 21 May 2025.
Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, briefed members of the media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, 28 May 2025.
Ntshavheni said the budget detailed key spending priorities over the next three years within the country’s fiscal envelope.
“The national budget has demonstrated our commitment to fiscal discipline. We have shown that we are steering the economy in the right direction that looks after the most vulnerable in our society, while investing in economic activities through investment of R1 trillion towards infrastructure over the coming three years.”
She also said the pro-poor budget meant that every 61 cents of consolidated non-interest expenditure funds will be spent on free basic services like electricity, water, education, healthcare, affordable houses and social grants for the needy.
Asked whether all the Government of National Unity (GNU) parties will vote in favor of the budget, Ntshavheni said they expected that to happen, but the parties have to be asked individually.
“As I have indicated, in all the times that we have at the Minister of Finance has gone to present the budget, they have always been in agreement in Cabinet saying, this is the budget we are going to support, despite its weaknesses,” she added.
The National Treasury previously said that the revised budget will adhere to all established technical processes and consultations as set out in the Money Bills and Related Matters Act.
This includes formal consultations with the Financial and Fiscal Commission, thorough consultations with all political parties within the GNU as well as Cabinet approval before presentation to Parliament.
South Africa is commemorating one year since the National and Provincial Elections in 2024, which resulted in no political party winning an outright majority.
Ntshavheni emphasised that this historic partnership, which includes 10 political parties, showcases the importance of prioritising the needs of South Africa and its people, by placing the nation first.
“Through constructive dialogue and compromise, the parties have worked together to address pressing issues, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose, despite our different ideological outlook.”
Announcing his new Cabinet last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the establishment of the GNU in its current form was unprecedented in the history of the country’s democracy.
SA visit to USA
Cabinet welcomed the reset of strategic relationships between South Africa and the United States during Ramaphosa’s working visit to the US at the invitation of President Donald Trump.
She said the South African and US teams will finalise the details of the trade deal the two countries would clinch.
“The objectives that the South Africa team had set for the trip have been met.”
Ntshavheni also said the Cabinet looked forward to the continued participation of the US administration in the G20 summit, including the possible attendance of Trump to the G20 Leaders Summit in South Africa later this year.
G20 Summit
Cabinet has endorsed the selection of the Nasrec Expo Centre, in Soweto, as the venue for the G20 Leaders Summit, which will be hosted in November.
Ntshavheni highlighted that, while it was built in 1984 to reinforce apartheid segregation, the democratic government continued to develop the precinct “as a bridge against apartheid spatial planning”.
Therefore, the hosting of the G20, like many other events, in the Nasrec precinct continues to contribute to making Nasrec a symbol of spatial integration towards an equal South Africa,” Ntshavheni said.