JONAH KOLLENBERG: We should be focusing on avoiding another rating agency downgrade. Moody's is the only one that hasn't downgraded us yet and this speech must ensure it remains this way and improves. The speech must give details on how this will be done and where we need to prioritise, which I believe should be in investments in the country and new revenue creation and collection habits.
A stronger economy, affordable education and reliable service delivery is what these learners would like to see address in the budget speech on 26 February.
Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni will be having his Budget Speech for 2020 on 26 February. With the financial challenges, South Africans have been facing over the last few years, the budget speech has been seen as the tool used to explain how the government plans to fix things. The focus on the speech will be on improving the countries finance’s and what they will be used for in the future.
The Northcliff Meville Times reached out to those that will be most affected by this speech in the future, the youth. They shared what they would like to hear coming out of the speech and had the following to say:
BEN MENDELOWITS: Bailing out of state-owned enterprises needs to stop. South African Airways has been getting money which should be directed to projects that look at improving the country. Projects such as improving education in rural areas or using it to create more employment opportunities.CHLOE VALKIN: It’s been over 12 years of load-shedding and Eskom’s issues and nothing but throwing money at the problem has been done to fix it. I would like to see the minister announcing that independent power producers will be allowed to contribute to the national grid. This ensures a reliable power supply which won’t disrupt the economy and its people.CONNOR MARTIN: We need to solve this unemployment issue. Not only should they give us explanations but also some sort of relief. This can come in the form of something good to look forward to in the near future. South Africans have been dealing with negative and bad news from our government for the longest of times and now we would like to celebrate just for once.ZIAAN MEYER: I feel like the government should try to make education more affordable or free. To many South African’s it is unaffordable and it’s sad because it impacts every part of your life. Without education, you would struggle to live your everyday life due to not being able to afford basic needs and services.MAKHOSONKE DLODLO: I think education is the most important thing to focus on. As a Grade 12 learner preparing to go to university next year I see the cost involved and it’s discouraging. A lot of students can’t afford to go there and they end up unemployed not knowing what to do next. Improving the budget to increase access would be a step in the right direction.LETHABO MOFOKANE: To make South Africa work again we need to get rid of the corruption. It’s something difficult to do because it will always be there for as long as the wrong people occupy their positions. We have greedy people in parliament and government and until they are replaced by honest people looking to fulfil their promises nothing will change.
