Tito Mboweni has been given a staunch reminder of the job he’s been tasked with. The finance minister is gearing up for the mid-term Budget Speech, due to take place at 14:00 on Wednesday – and got a little taste of what the people want to hear.
Several interest groups have gathered outside of the National Assembly, making their demands loud and clear. Mboweni has an unenviable task on his hands, and it’s likely that his ‘mini-budget’ will be brutal for some sections of society.
Watch: Tito Mboweni met by protests
However, there are some issues the minister has been implored to prioritise. Equal Education are demanding that schools receive adequate funding in the wake of the pandemic, warning Mboweni to ‘keep his hands’ off of the pot for learning:
Minister @tito_mboweni came outside @ParliamentofRSA to see what our protest was about & to read some of the messages on our placards. He should have taken the time to talk to us but our message remains loud & clear, #Buyisalmali! #MTBPS2020 #TitoHandsOffOurEducation pic.twitter.com/90EovyzPSR
— Equal Education (@equal_education) October 28, 2020
The ‘mini-budget’ tightrope
Others have rallied on the cause of unemployment. Cyril Ramaphosa has routinely promised to ensure that job creation is at the forefront of his work in government, but even before coronavirus, South Africa had struggled badly to create work opportunities. The dissent outside of Parliament didn’t end there for Tito Mboweni, either.
Some interest groups are demanding that the R350 grant is increased. In fact, some protesters are angry that a number of applicants have not been paid their full amounts yet. Altogether, the atmosphere outside of the iconic political venue is one of discontent: And Tito Mboweni will have pull-out a minor miracle to appease all of those present:
Protesters have started to gather outside Parliament ahead of Tito Mboweni’s #MTBPS2020. Some are saying the government’s R350 relief grant is insufficient.@TheAgenda_SABC @SABCNews pic.twitter.com/uGnJQu3twD
— Thabo Mophuthing (@BilaMophuthing) October 28, 2020
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