IN TWEETS: What South Africans are anticipating ahead of the budget speech

JOHANNESBURG – Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni has a difficult task this afternoon as this year’s budget speech is viewed with scepticism by many South Africans.

With State-owned entities such as South African Airways and power utility Eskom constantly in need of saving from drowning in debt by the State, some South Africans are wondering whether these entities will once again get a bail-out.

This week #Budget2019 is the #bailoutfestival

– Eskom is getting a bailout
– SABC is getting a bailout
– SAA will be propped up again

Everyone is getting one!!!!!#BudgetSpeech pic.twitter.com/94aDdY73VF

— Ricardo Mackenzie MPL🇿🇦 (@ricardomackenzi) February 18, 2019

https://twitter.com/sure_kamhunga/status/1098109486156447745

Some South Africans are wondering whether there will be increases of tax on some of their favourite items.

https://twitter.com/phatjunkie/status/1097726607542943745

#DearMinisterMboweni
1) Reduce VAT back 14
2) Cut on perks, securities & salaries 4 MPs & cabinet members
3) Reduce collusion between PSP & govt procurement officials
4) Reduce salaries 4 execs of SOE's
5) Reduce govt spending on office space & Ministers homes #Budget2019 pic.twitter.com/yKmoREGB3z

— Chief Erican (@EricanSA) February 19, 2019

It has been said that SMMEs are the backbone for economic growth – is there an opportunity to invest and rehabilitate old Spaza shops to create shared working spaces for township entrepreneurs to grow their businesses? They can't operate from coffee shops forever! #Budget2019

— Wandile Cindi (@WandileCindi) February 20, 2019

Minister trying to add up numbers before #Budget2019 Speech.
Tough times pic.twitter.com/nT0IggElzb

— Bongani (@Matwa0306) February 20, 2019

#Budget2019 #TitoMboweni may they include data allowance in their speech. pic.twitter.com/SVLT2zHdkv

— Thabang Motaung🗣️ (@ShiboMotaung) February 20, 2019

The budget speech is set to start at 14:00 this afternoon.