South Africa’s Own “Elon Musk Moment”: New Spending Cuts Target Wasteful Government Programs

Treasury rolls out TARS to axe low-priority programs and redirect funds

South Africa is taking bold steps to rein in public spending and it’s drawing more than a little inspiration from Elon Musk’s U.S. efficiency experiment. In a move that mirrors the American billionaire’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the South African government has introduced a homegrown version: Targeted and Responsible Savings, or TARS.

With the country under increasing fiscal pressure, Treasury officials say it’s time to trim the fat.

Trimming the budget, not the vision

Announced in new spending guidelines this week, TARS is being hailed as a sharp pivot in how South Africa manages its national budget. The initiative will identify and dismantle underperforming or misaligned programs, with the savings redirected toward higher-impact services, think healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

According to the Treasury, the project is about “budget reform with impact”, ensuring every rand spent actually delivers value for money.

But make no mistake, this isn’t just about cost-cutting. It’s about accountability. Departments flagged by TARS will need to prove their worth. If a program can’t justify its existence with solid data and tangible results, it may face “de-implementation” by 2026/27.

What’s on the chopping block?

While the Treasury hasn’t published an official list of what programs are at risk, insiders expect everything from outdated legacy projects to political pet schemes could be in the firing line. TARS will base decisions on current and historical performance, and more importantly, whether the initiative aligns with South Africa’s long-term development goals.

And once the cabinet gives its final nod to the TARS shortlist, there’ll be little room for bureaucratic sentiment. Programs will either be scrapped, scaled back, or if lucky, spared with strict conditions for reform.

Inspired by Elon, but built for Mzansi

Elon Musk’s DOGE in the U.S. was launched with the promise of slashing federal waste, and it’s no secret that it’s had mixed reviews. South Africa, however, is attempting a more calculated approach, embedding its version of efficiency directly into the national budgeting system.

Public sentiment is cautious but hopeful. On social media, reactions are mixed:

“About time they stop funding ghost programs.”
“Please tell me they’re cutting all these advisory boards we never hear about.”
“Can we TARS Parliament too?”

A country tired of waste

This bold step couldn’t come at a more crucial time. South Africans have grown weary of hearing about lavish government perks, inflated consultant fees, and state entities running in the red while basic services collapse.

The country is staring down real, painful economic realities energy instability, youth unemployment, failing water systems and the people want a budget that reflects those priorities.

TARS might be the first serious attempt in years to match spending with service delivery.

Will it work? That depends on whether the government follows through with action, not just paperwork. TARS offers a framework, now departments must step up and prove they deserve their slice of the national pie.

Whether you’re skeptical or cautiously optimistic, one thing’s clear: South Africa’s budget won’t look the same a few years from now.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s a good thing.

{Source: BusinessTech}

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