As expected and disappointing, the Mpumalanga 2025/2026 Budget Speech which was delivered by the MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Bonakele Majuba, on Tuesday at the Provincial Legislature, failed to address the burning issues of economic growth and job creation.
Below are the allocations from the Budget Speech that are questionable and don’t make sense to the DA: hence we reject it.
- Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM): An additional R38 million has been allocated to this project, which remains non-operational despite over R2 billion already spent. The market still lacks essential infrastructure, such as running water, indicating ongoing mismanagement. During the Adjustment Budget Speech in November last year, R107.6 million was allocated to the project, for operationalisation apparently. Now they are allocating another R38 million which they claim is for completion of the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market. This is a clear indication of the ongoing mismanagement and failure of this high-profile initiative.
- High-Altitude Training Centre (HATC): The R80 million allocated lacks a clear completion timeline. Initiated in the 2012/2013 financial year, nearly R300 million has been spent with little to show for it. The project appears abandoned, raising concerns about further funding.
- Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA): Allocating R70.9 million to strengthen MEGA’s balance sheet is questionable, given its consistent financial losses since its inception in 2010. Reports, including those from the Auditor General, cast doubt on the entity’s viability, suggesting that continued funding may not be justified. MEGA’s mandates and responsibilities includes funding (through loans and grants) Small Medium & Micro Enterprises (SMME’s), Agro Projects and Farming, Housing and Promoting Trade and Investment in the province. The DA wants MEGA disbanded, not funded.
The following are the positives from the Budget Speech which the DA cautiously welcomes:
- One of the positive things that made sense, which was also welcomed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) from the Budget Speech, was the R304 million set aside to finally build the School for the Blind and Deaf. The DA had been fighting for the plight of these learners for over 14-years now, so it makes us happy that the provincial government has finally budgeted for the construction of their school. We will ensure that it will not be another project that turns to a cash-cow for Comrades, just like the Mkhondo Boarding School, the Parliamentary Village, and the High-Altitude Training Centre.
- The DA also acknowledges the R47.4 million that has been budgeted for the appointment of medical doctors in the province. However, we believe that money should have also been allocated for ambulance staff as there is a major shortage.
- We also gladly welcome the R141 million allocated to the building of Recreational Centres for the elderly.
- The DA also welcomes the budget increase of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). This will help the entity to source new tourism attractions. We also welcome the R118 million set aside for the upgrades of parks and tourism development.
- The DA is also cautiously sceptical about the R12 million allocated to the Office of the Premier to establish the Provincial Programme Management Unit (PMU) which is aimed at enhancing efficient planning for qualitative infrastructure development. The DA believes that if Premier Mandla Ndlovu ensure that this unit does what it needs to do, it can help the long outstanding infrastructure projects in the province to be completed.
Overall, the DA rejects this Budget Speech because it does not cater for Job creation or economic development, except for the tourism industry.