Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the 2025 National Budget Speech on Wednesday (12 March). The budget addressed several key points, including the country’s current economic status, growth projections, substantial debt servicing costs, proposed increases in VAT and sin taxes, and the continuation of the social relief grant.

South Africa’s 2025 budget is a cautious step toward fiscal stability, with debt peaking at 76.2% of GDP in 2025-26 and a narrowing deficit. For employees, it offers short-term respite but lacks the ambition to transform lives.

The 2025 budget proposals are out at last! The good news is that VAT is not going all the way up to 17% (yet), but individuals will feel the fiscal drag due to a lack of inflation-based adjustments. The first draft of the budget speech,