Budget Blues: South Africans Feel Let Down as Promises Fail to Deliver Relief

As Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presented the final 2025 Budget in Parliament this May, South Africans across the country held their breath, hoping for economic relief. But when the numbers hit paper, it became clear that many of those hopes would go unmet.

Ahead of the announcement, the Daily Maverick walked Cape Town’s streets, speaking to everyday citizens about what they needed from this year’s budget. Their requests were not extravagant—just grounded in daily realities of rising fuel prices, shrinking incomes, and a desire for dignity.

“Petrol is Killing Me” — The Fuel Pain Persists

Taxi owner Ashley Jafter had one pressing request: ease fuel costs. With petrol prices already biting into his monthly income, he hoped government would show mercy at the pump. Instead, he—and millions of others—will be paying more.

Come June 4, the general fuel levy will rise by 16 cents per litre for petrol and 15 cents for diesel. It’s an inflationary increase, but for citizens already stretched thin, it feels like salt in an open wound.

Cape Town resident Nosisa Mcasi put it bluntly: “They’ve been increasing it so much, we don’t even care anymore.”

No Lifeline for Small Businesses

In Cape Town’s soggy marketplaces, street vendor Clayton Mathambo wished for policies to help formalise informal traders, open loan access, and tackle crime. The Budget, however, was largely silent on these issues.

Though infrastructure investment and public services received some funds, targeted support for small businesses—especially those operating informally—remained elusive.

Grants Go Up, But Not Nearly Enough

For South Africa’s pensioners, the budget brought only a mild sense of déjà vu. Social grants, last adjusted in March, saw no significant new increases. The old age grant has risen by R130 per month, and the R350 Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant will stick around until March 2026.

But for many, like pensioners Jeremy Adams and Gradin Francis, it’s just not enough. Inflation continues to eat away at fixed incomes, and government housing and safety net improvements remain distant promises.

R30 More for Hungry Families

For single mother Nwabisa Gocini, who relies on the child support grant, the R30 increase felt like a cruel joke. “It doesn’t make any difference at all… food is expensive. Some parents are unemployed. We still have to buy warm clothes and pay for school things.”

She’s not alone. Parents and caregivers across the country echoed the same frustration: the cost of living has outpaced the state’s help.

The Big Picture: Budget Balancing vs Real Lives

This latest budget once again reveals the tension between national fiscal restraint and personal financial pain. With VAT increases causing political rifts, the government turned to fuel levies and “sin taxes” for revenue. But for many South Africans, this means deeper pockets for Treasury and shallower ones for the rest.

There was no sign of a Basic Income Grant, no major intervention for small businesses, and no bold step toward real financial justice.

A Budget That Missed the Mark

In a country where unemployment and inequality remain entrenched, many South Africans were hoping for more than numbers—they were hoping for hope. This budget, while technically balanced, may have left behind the people who needed balance most.

{Source: Daily Maverick}

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