MEC Cronje delivers her last budget speech
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance, Ina Cronjé will tomorrow, Tuesday, 11 March 2014 present the fifth and last provincial budget of the current provincial administration, at the legislature building in Pietermaritzburg.
MEC Cronjé firmly believes that, as the province is celebrating 20 years of democracy, has a good story to tell. “For the vast majority of South Africans, our country is today a much better place than it was 20 years ago. In the space of one generation we have made enormous strides”.
Talking ahead of her big day, Cronjé said “KwaZulu-Natal has had many difficult situations to contend with when it comes to provincial finances, with 2009/10 being probably the most difficult year. However, through careful budget monitoring and cash flow management, the provincial bank account has remained with a healthy positive bank balance since May 2010”.
The budget process is a very participative process, with departments given the opportunity a number of times throughout the year to interact with Provincial Treasury and to discuss their budgets and any budget-pressures they may be experiencing, be it with current projects or programmes, or expansion plans. These funding requests are formalised every year during the Medium Term Expenditure Committee (MTEC) process in August where departments and public entities formally submit their funding requests and baseline reprioritisations to Provincial Treasury. As part of this process, Provincial Treasury requires proof that the respective MECs concur with the funding requests, and that these have been tabled and discussed with the relevant Portfolio Committees.
The process includes public consultations. Houses, electricity and job creation top the list of demands of thousands of people who were consulted regarding the provincial budget. In this regard Provincial Treasury engaged with business and communities during pre- and post-budget business breakfast meetings and mass community meetings in all corners of the province.
MEC Cronjé will give emphasis on sound financial management and accentuate on the provincial achievements and spell-out the vision of the province.
There will be a lock-up session with the media, where Provincial Treasury will explain the intricate details of this year’s Budget Vote.
Details of the lock-up are as follows:
Media transport will depart from the Durban Playhouse at 8h00 sharp
Date: 11 March 2014
Technical media briefing
Time: 09h00
Venue: Provincial Legislature Administrative Building, 244 Langalibalele Street, 1st Floor Boardroom
Budget speech presentation
Time: 11h00
Venue: KZN Provincial Legislature
Media Briefing (Questions and answer session & photo session)
Time: 13h00 (after the main speech)
Venue: ANC Caucus Room
RSVP before 10h00 today, Monday, 10 March 2014
Mr Ntokozo Maphisa
Cell: 0827730937
Tel: O33 846 6986
Fax: 033 846 6802
Enquiries:
Musa Cebisa
Cell: 071 687 8777
