This speech was delivered by GOOD MP, Shaun August during the Presidency Budget Vote on the 2nd June 2021
Honourable Chairperson
Honourable Mr President
Members of the House
The latest announcement of our unemployment statistics at a staggering 32.6% does not paint an optimistic outlook for our economy.
With Covid further exacerbating it by closing our borders, shutting down many businesses and putting pressure on state resources we now need the leadership to take us out of rough waters.
The question is how do we do this whilst still in recovery and the possibility of a third wave looming.
One of our biggest asset to our disposal is to build, rebuild and invest in infrastructure development.
Whilst GOOD welcomes the Presidency’s commitment to infrastructure investment this should not be government’s job alone.
Every sector must heed the call to put South Africa back on track.
Government requires partnerships with the private sector to ensure successful implementation of our country’s infrastructure investment plan, to increase resources and to create the necessary jobs that are so desperately needed.
Honourable Chairperson.
Whilst we put energy into investing in our country, we must also not forget to invest in our people.
GOOD has been calling for the implementation of a Basic Income Grant and whilst slow, there has been progress to our work.
Numbers do not lie, with Covid having further left more people of work – a Basic Income Grant could be the fine line between our people living in or out of poverty.
We can no longer afford to delay a permanent basic income grant to address the needs of our most marginalised citizens.
Honourable Chaiperson.
In this time of extreme economic difficulty and hardship, the way we spend each cent of our budgets counts.
It is not just about eradicating corruption or stamping out maladministration. We also need dexterity, sensibility and leadership.
GOOD also welcomes the recently established Infrastructure Built Anti Corruption forum launched by Minister de Lille and the SIU just over a week ago. This forum is a clear sign that we need all of society to work together to effectively prevent, detect and fight corruption.
As we wrap up this budget, let us not retreat back into our chambers only to re-emerge in a month or three and repeat what we have said.
Covid has affected every part of our society at home and abroad.
GOOD encourages those who have not registered for the vaccine to do so.
It is only together and in collaboration that we will win the battle against it.
I thank you.