MTBPS 2016 a blow for the 8.9 million unemployed in SA

26 October 2016 

The Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, committed to moving the economy in the direction of hope, confidence and a better future for all during his budget speech on 24 February 2016 in Parliament.

However, it is disappointing that despite “calling for decisive action” the minister did not announce any concrete progress on providing policy certainty or implementing structural reforms necessary to boost economic growth and create jobs in South Africa.

That is because the minister has both hands tied behind his back by a government that is paralyzed by a “civil war” inside the ruling ANC/SACP/Cosatu Alliance, which is literally killing the economy in South Africa.

 In the end, the medium-term budget policy statement was a major blow for the 8.9 million people who do not have jobs, or have given up looking for jobs, and do not have hope in South Africa.

Issued by David Maynier, DA Shadow Minister of Finance, 26 October 2016