Why did the Finance Minister only give additional funding for education to one province, the Western Cape?

31 October 2024

In a peculiar move, the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, used yesterday’s mid-term budget to give an additional funding allocation for basic education to just one province, the Western Cape, to the tune of R321 million. Without any justification, the other eight provinces – many of which also are sorely underfunded – were given nothing amid an education funding crisis.

Build One South Africa (BOSA) has today written to Minister Godongwana, seeking an explanation as to this preferential treatment amid an education funding crisis whereby at least R79 billion extra funding is needed just this year to ensure teachers are paid and schools are resourced across all provinces. 

There can be no favourites within the Government of National Unity (GNU), and BOSA will see to it that a full explanation is given for such a move while millions of learners outside of the Western Cape continue to suffer from chronic underfunding.

Moreover, it is unthinkable that while funding the R79 billion education shortfall should have been first priority, yesterday the Minister chose to use the Special Appropriations Bill to allocate additional funds not to education, but to the Presidency, Justice, Transport and International Relations.

South Africans must know that the GNU has now chosen larger class sizes, overworked teachers, and diminished quality of education by not adequately funding the Department of Basic Education.

BOSA has proposed a series of government spending cuts to fund this shortfall. By reallocating funds from inefficient or unnecessary government expenditures, we can keep classrooms open, ensure teachers are supported, and uphold a standard of education worthy of our children’s potential.

Issued by Roger Solomons, BOSA Acting Spokesperson, 31 October 2024

At the 14 Oct Budget Council meeting, Minister Godongwana explained to all provinces that only the Western Cape’s BFI application was compliant, hence the additional funding. I recall you being in the meeting and no objections were raised. This was a fully transparent process. https://t.co/eW2Lge8TUh

— Deidré Baartman (@deidrebaartman) October 31, 2024