Honourable Speaker,
Honourable Premier,
Honourable Members of the Executive Council,
Honourable Members of the Eastern Cape Legislature,
Executive Mayors and Mayors of our Municipalities,
Esteemed Traditional and Religious Leaders,
Leadership of Chapter Nine Institutions,
Leadership of State Owned Companies,
Leadership of political formations,
Leadership of Labour,
Business Leadership,
Director General, HoD’s and Senior Government Officials
Our Esteemed guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Honourable Speaker, I am honoured for the opportunity afforded to me by this august house to present the Provincial Budget for 2016/17 financial year. I would also like to greet all those, who are watching the delivery of this speech on DSTV Parliamentary Channel 408.
Ndingabalibelanga abo baphulaphule konomathotholo basekuhlaleni naku Mhlobo Wenene, ngalentsasa.
In 2013, Madam Speaker, the nation adopted the National Development Plan (NDP), a developmental blue print that seeks to bring to fruition the realisation of a better life for all our people.
The NDP reminds us that to achieve a better life for all, government cannot work alone. It says we must draw on the energies of our people, we must grow an inclusive economy, we must build capabilities, and we must enhance the capacity of the state, and promote leadership and partnerships throughout society.
Ixesha lokuthetha liphelile masibeyimbumba yamanyama sisebenzisaneni ukwakha uqoqosho lwephondo lethu. Umbali wemibongo uKwethane kumbongo wakhe othi- Ubunye unaba enjenje:
Ubunye sisixhobo say’impumelelo.
Lubambiswan’ olumxhel’ umnye,
Abakwenzayo bakwenza kunye,
Okwab’ ukwenza kunegalelo,
Ezinzima bona bayathwalisana,
Ezixakayo kuzo bayancedisana,
Yakubotshw’ inyanda ibang’ uqilima”
Economic Outlook
Honourable Members, the budget for this year has been developed under a subdued economic climate. As articulated by Minister Gordhan, economies with strong links to the global economy, particularly those heavily reliant on commodities and manufactured exports, which include South Africa and as is the case with our Province, will be adversely affected.
South Africa’s growth prospects are weak, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projecting downward growth from 1.3 % in 2015 to 0.9 % in 2016 rising to 1.3% in 2017.
Our provincial economy is forecast to lag behind the national average thus requiring an integrated sectoral approach to ensure its growth.
It must be noted that Business and general government services currently remain dominant sectors, in terms of net positive employment creation during these tough economic times.
Full speech [PDF]
