{"id":1440,"date":"2019-02-21T13:32:10","date_gmt":"2019-02-21T13:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northerncape.gov.za\/dsac\/2019\/02\/21\/2019-budget-speech-minister-of-finance-tito-titus-mboweni\/"},"modified":"2019-02-21T13:32:10","modified_gmt":"2019-02-21T13:32:10","slug":"2019-budget-speech-minister-of-finance-tito-titus-mboweni","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northerncape.gov.za\/dsac\/2019\/02\/21\/2019-budget-speech-minister-of-finance-tito-titus-mboweni\/","title":{"rendered":"2019 Budget Speech – Minister of Finance Tito Titus Mboweni"},"content":{"rendered":"

Madam Speaker

\nMr President

\nMr Deputy President

\nCabinet Colleagues

\nGovernor of the South African Reserve Bank

\nHonourable Members

\nMECs of Finance

\nFellow South Africans

\nGoeie middag

\nSanibonani

\nMolweni

\nAvhusheni<\/strong>

\n

\nOn October 9, 2018, I stood before Judge Babalwa Mantame and took an Oath of Office. I said:

\n

\n“I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and will obey, respect and uphold the

\nConstitution and all other law in the Republic; and I undertake to hold my office as

\nMinister with honour and dignity; to be a true and faithful counsellor … and to perform

\nthe functions of my office conscientiously and to the best of my ability.”<\/em>

\n

\nToday, I submit before this august House the National Budget. It reflects, to the best of my judgment, the nation’s financial situation. It is in the interest of our people and our country, and not in the narrow objectives of any political party. It is to safeguard the sound financial status of the Republic. I do this in my role as Minister of Finance, performing my fiduciary responsibility as the guardian of the nation’s finances.

\n

\nToday, I hereby table:

\n

\n1. The Budget Speech,

\n2. The 2019 Budget Review

\n3. The 2019 Estimates of National Expenditure,

\n4. The Division of Revenue Bill,

\n5. The Appropriation Bill, and

\n6. The Public Audit Excess Fee Bill.

\n

\nMadam Speaker,

\n

\nIn the 2019 State of the Nation Address, our President set out an ambitious agenda for our nation. It is an agenda that speaks to the South Africa that we can be. It is a task list for all of us. It lays out a series of interventions that will put South Africa on a bold new path.

\n

\nHow do we make this renewal a reality? I turned to the Good Book for guidance.

\n

\nIn Zechariah 8 verse 12 it says:

\n

\n“For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give

\nher increase, and the heavens shall give their due; and I will cause the remnant of this

\npeople to possess all these things.”<\/em>

\n

\nAs a part-time farmer, I know that in order for the people to “possess all these things”, we have to plant anew.

\n

\nIt is time for us to sow the seed of renewal and growth.

\n

\nBut for the seed to be prosperous, as Zechariah enjoins us, we must first cultivate the soil. Once we have planted the seed, we must nurture it, water it, and protect it from the extremes, the elements and time.

\n

\nDespite our best efforts, sometimes, ravages and risks such as pests or rot could attack our green shoots, but we must persevere; we must prune and pluck away at the rot, until there is growth. This we must do as a collective.

\n

\nIf we look after what we sow, and what we have ploughed and laboured over so tirelessly, since the founding of our democracy, it will grow and the seed will bear fruit. However, if we abandon our fields, the seeds we plant will wither.

\n

\nA few years ago, Madam Speaker, one of my predecessors handed out succulent plums to the members of this house, to demonstrate the times of plenty we were in.

\n

\nToday, we walk into this house with an iconic South African plant, the aloe ferox. This is one of the best known South African plants. It has a long history of medicinal use. It is resilient, sturdy and drought resistant. It withstands the elements. We must take the bitter with the sweet.

\n

\nToday, I bring you a seed to prove that if we plant anew, we can return to those plum times.

\n

\nMadam Speaker, our President has set us on a track of renewal.

\n

\nBut today, I will leave the poetry (and the singing) to the President.

\n

\nI am here to speak about hard facts and figures.

\n

\nThis Budget is built on six fundamental prescripts:

\n

\n1. Achieving a higher rate of economic growth

\n2. Increasing tax collection

\n3. Reasonable, affordable expenditure

\n4. Stabilising and reducing debt

\n5. Reconfiguring state-owned enterprises

\n6. Managing the public sector wage bill

\nIt will not be easy. There are no quick fixes. But our nation is ready for renewal. We are ready

\nto plant the seeds of our future.

\n

\nDevelopments since the October Medium Term Budget Policy Statement<\/strong>

\n

\nIn October, during the 2018 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), I outlined our main budget fiscal outlook. At that time, I projected that in 2018\/19 tax revenue would be R1.3 trillion and that spending would be about R1.5 trillion. That left us with a budget deficit of R215 billion, or 4.3 per cent of GDP.

\n

\nI said that we were at a crossroads, and that we could go either to heaven, or the other way.

\n

\nThen, we expected economic growth of 0.7 per cent in 2018. This is still our estimate. But, many of the risks that we warned about have materialised. We now expect a slower but still steady recovery after the 2018 technical recession. It is expected that real GDP growth in 2019 will rise to 1.5 per cent, and then strengthen moderately to 2.1 per cent in 2021.

\n

\nSouth Africa is a small open economy and we are impacted by events in the global economy

\n

\nWorld growth is now expected to slow, constraining South Africa’s export growth forecast.

\n

\nThese macroeconomic conditions have led to a weaker economic outlook.

\n

\nMadam Speaker, walk with me on a journey of how we have chosen to respond to the challenges facing us.

\n

\nTax revenue and raising SARS capacity<\/strong>

\n

\nFirst, we must look at the President’s task list. Then we must match the resources we have to the plan. In this current year, tax revenue has been revised down by R15.4 billion compared to our October estimate.

\n

\nApproximately half of the increase in the shortfall since October is due to higher than expected VAT refunds. This lowers revenue collection for the year, but puts money back into the economy.

\n

\nSARS is being fixed. My thanks go to Judge Nugent and his Panel for their wise counsel. On their recommendations:

\n

\n1. A new Commissioner will be appointed in the coming weeks.

\n2. A new Illicit Economy Unit launched in August 2018 will fight the trade in illicit cigarettes and tobacco.

\n3. The large business unit was a major source of tax collection, and its skill was renowned.

\nThis unit will be reintroduced and will be formally launched in early April 2019.

\n4. SARS is strengthening its IT team and its IT systems and this is crucial for our tax collection efforts.

\n5. Information sharing agreements with allies will help fight cross-border tax evasion schemes.

\n

\nJudge Davis will assess the tax gap, which is the difference between revenue collected and what ought to be collected. We will also review the proliferation of duty free shops inside South Africa.

\n

\nFiscal prudence requires some tax changes. We propose additional revenue measures of R15 billion in 2019\/20. There will be a slight upward adjustment of the tax-free threshold for personal income taxes, with no change in the current personal income tax brackets. Together these will raise R12.8 billion.

\n

\nMadam Speaker, excise duties on alcohol and tobacco will be increased, as follows:

\n

\n1. The excise duty on a can of beer goes up by 12 cents to R1.74

\n2. A 750ml bottle of wine will have an excise duty of R3.15, which is 22 cents more

\n3. The duty on a 750ml bottle of sparkling wine goes up by 84 cents to R10.16

\n4. The duty on a bottle of whiskey will go up by R4.54 to R65.84

\n5. A pack of 20 cigarettes goes up by R1.14 cents to R16.66

\n6. The excise duty on a typical cigar will go up by about 64 cents to R7.80

\n7. There will be no change to the excise duty on sorghum beer

\n8. Fuel levies will increase by 29 cents per litre for petrol and 30 cents per litre for diesel

\n

\nThe Road Accident Fund levy increase is not enough to match the Fund’s R215 billion liability.

\n

\nWe urge the Department of Transport to quickly resubmit the Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill for Parliament’s urgent consideration. It will help stabilise fuel prices.

\n

\nThe National Treasury will work with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Economic Development to explore the introduction of an export tax on scrap metal.

\n

\nThe ordinary taxpayer is fully tax compliant and pays their fair share.

\n

\nThuma Mina. Paying your taxes is the right thing to do.

\n

\nExpenditure<\/strong>

\n

\nLet me turn to our spending projections. Since October, government has taken steps to adjust baseline expenditure downwards by a total of R50.3 billion over the medium term. Half of these reductions come from adjustments to government’s spending on compensation. R12.8 billion comes from measures to reduce spending on specific programmes.

\n

\nProvisional allocations are made for the financial support to Eskom and the Infrastructure Fund. This offsets the baseline reductions and as such the expenditure ceiling is revised upwards by R16 billion over the next three years.

\n

\nIn October, I quoted Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. After a few months in the role, I feel that Oliver Twist might be more appropriate this time.

\n

\nIn short, ‘Please Sir, may I have some more.’

\n

\nThe SOEs pose very serious risks to the fiscal framework. Funding requests from SAA, SABC, Denel, Eskom and other financially challenged state-owned enterprises have increased, with several requesting state support just to continue operating. Isn’t it about time the country asks the question: do we still need these enterprises? If we do, can we manage them better? If we don’t need them, what should we do?

\n

\nState-owned enterprise restructuring<\/strong>

\n

\nMadam Speaker, I said in October that we would have no holy cows when it comes to our approach to state owned enterprises.

\n

\nEskom<\/strong>

\n

\nIn the State of the Nation Address, the President announced a clear and executable plan for electricity. At the core of this plan is the subdivision of Eskom into three independent components. This will set the electricity market on a new trajectory, and allow for more competition, transparency and a focused funding model.

\n

\nPouring money directly into Eskom in its current form is like pouring water into a sieve.

\n

\nI want to make it clear: the national government is not taking on Eskom’s debt. Eskom took on the debt. It must ultimately repay it. We are setting aside R23 billion a year to financially support Eskom during its reconfiguration.

\n

\nThe fiscal support is conditional on an independent Chief Reorganisation Officer (CRO) being jointly appointed by the Ministers of Finance and Public Enterprises with the explicit mandate of delivering on the recommendations of the Presidential Task Team. We will make announcements in this regard in the coming weeks.

\n

\nMinister Gordhan and the strong team he has built at the Department of Public Enterprises will continue to exercise close and ongoing monitoring of Eskom.

\n

\nOther state-owned enterprises<\/strong>

\n

\nOn other state-owned enterprises, we are reviewing our framework for state-owned enterprise support. Government has revised the contingency reserve upwards to R13 billion for 2019\/20 to respond to possible requests for financial support.

\n

\nFinancial support will be budget neutral as far as possible.

\n

\nDuring this past financial year, total guarantee utilisation increased by R51.1 billion:

\n

\n1. Eskom used an additional R50 billion of its R350 billion guarantee in 2018\/19.

\n2. Denel was granted a further R1 billion guarantee.

\n3. SAA guaranteed debt increased by R6.2 billion.

\n4. My congratulations to the Land Bank, which repaid debt, reducing government’s guarantee exposure. Other entities reduced their guarantees, unfortunately in some cases as a result of appropriations.

\n

\nWe must tighten the guarantee rules. If a state-owned enterprise applies for a government guarantee for operational purposes, it will be required to appoint a CRO in concurrence with the National Treasury and its bondholders. The CRO will undertake a full operational and financial review. When banks need state support, we appoint a curator. When provincial and municipal finances are in disarray, government can take over the running of the administration.

\n

\nThese rules should also apply to all SOEs.

\n

\nCabinet is considering a proposal to end the issuing of guarantees for operational purposes.

\n

\nExpiration dates on guarantees will also be strictly enforced. As the President announced, strategic equity partners will be found where possible.

\n

\nThe consolidated fiscal framework<\/strong>

\n

\nTo summarise: in this coming year, we expect revenues of R1.58 trillion and spending of R1.83 trillion. That means we will spend R243 billion more than we earn.

\n

\nPut another way, we are borrowing about R1.2 billion a day, assuming that we don’t borrow money on the weekend.

\n

\nThis coming year, interest expenditures will be R209.4 billion. This is R1 billion per day. The expenditure and tax adjustments are designed to largely counteract the additional allocation for Eskom and the revenue shortfall. As a result, gross national debt will still stabilise at about 60 per cent of GDP in 2023\/24, broadly in line with our October forecast.

\n

\nWe are masters of our own destiny.

\n

\nOur determination to regain our fiscal prudence will form the basis of our economic recovery.

\n

\nWe will be on our way back to the plum years.

\n

\nAs we face the future, I am reminded of the words of one of the continent’s independence leaders, Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah:

\n

\n“…the task ahead is great indeed, and heavy is the responsibility; and yet it is a noble

\nand glorious challenge – a challenge which calls for the courage to dream, the courage

\nto believe, the courage to dare, the courage to do, the courage to envision, the courage

\nto fight, the courage to work, the courage to achieve – to achieve the highest excellencies

\nand the fullest greatness of (people). Dare we ask for more in life? "<\/em>

\n

\nRestoring our finances and fixing our state owned enterprises will take great courage.

\n

\nBut it can be done.

\n

\nDivision of revenue<\/strong>

\n

\nMadam Speaker, the Budget remains redistributive. Taxes raised in wealthier areas fund poorer provinces and municipalities. In this budget, 47.9 per cent of nationally-raised funds are allocated to national government, 43 per cent to provinces and 9.1 per cent to local government over the medium term, after providing for debt-service costs and the contingency reserve. Pro-poor spending continues to grow in real terms.

\n

\nMedium-term spending plans<\/strong>

\n

\nLet me start my presentation on government’s spending priorities by taking you through the key interventions government is taking to reduce compensation spending.

\n

\nWage bill adjustments<\/strong>

\n

\nThe public wage bill is unsustainable. We must shift expenditure to investment. National and provincial compensation budgets will be reduced by R27 billion over the next three years.

\n

\nThe first step is to allow older public servants who want to do so, to retire early and gracefully.

\n

\nThis will save an estimated R4.8 billion in 2019\/20, R7.5 billion in 2020\/21 and R8 billion in 2021\/22. In time this will be complemented by limits on overtime and bonus payments as well as pay progression. The system of staffing our diplomatic missions is unjustified and should be reviewed urgently.

\n

\nAs a gesture of goodwill, members of Parliament and provincial legislatures and executives at public entities will not be receiving a salary increase this financial year.

\n

\nMy colleague, Minister Ayanda Dlodlo will outline the details of the early retirement framework during the course of the week.

\n

\nFulfilling government’s programme of action<\/strong>

\n

\nThe budget proposes total non-interest spending over the next three years of R5.87 trillion.

\n

\nThis after taking into account measures taken over the three years to consolidate the public finances. The largest allocations are R1.2 trillion for learning and culture, R717 billion for health services (including National Health Insurance) and nearly R900 billion for social development.

\n

\nThe President set us these five tasks:

\n

\n1. Accelerate inclusive economic growth and create jobs.

\n2. Improve the education system and develop the skills that we need now and into the future.

\n3. Improve the conditions of life for all South Africans, especially the poor.

\n4. Fight corruption and state capture.

\n5. Strengthen the capacity and capability of the state to address the needs of the people.

\n

\nMr President, let me illustrate how the Budget talks to your priorities.

\n

\nAccelerate inclusive economic growth and create jobs<\/strong>

\n

\nThe private sector is the key engine for job creation. Government’s policy actions aim to end the uncertainty that has undermined confidence and constrained private sector investment.

\n

\nThe R300 billion worth of pledges made at the Investment Conference last year demonstrate that there is pent-up private sector demand if we grab hold of the opportunity.

\n

\nVisa requirements are being relaxed to make it easier for tourists to visit and invest in South Africa.

\n

\nWe have also increased the income eligibility thresholds for the highly successful employment tax incentive scheme. Jobs for 1.1 million young people are supported by this programme.

\n

\nData costs must fall!

\n

\nMy fellow Minister will shortly be issuing policy direction to ICASA for the licensing of spectrum.

\n

\nI will work relentlessly with the Minister until this matter is resolved. This includes resourcing ICASA for this mandate.

\n

\nGovernment has allocated R19.8 billion for industrial business incentives, of which R600 million has gone to the clothing and textile competitiveness programme. This will support 35 500 existing jobs and create about 25 000 new jobs over the next three years.

\n

\nThe Jobs Fund is a vital complement to private sector job creation. The Fund has disbursed R4.6 billion in grant funding, and created well over 200,000 jobs since inception. The allocation to this Fund will rise over the next three years to R1.1 billion.

\n

\nR481.6 million is allocated to the Small Enterprise Development Agency to expand the small business incubation programme.

\n

\nA robust debate on land is taking place in South Africa. We are supporting private sector investments in agriculture by emerging farmers. R1.8 billion is allocated for the implementation of 262 priority land-reform projects over the next three years. R3.7 billion is set aside to assist emerging farmers seeking to acquire land to farm.

\n

\nThe Land Bank will support smallholders, and leverage partnerships with other financial institutions. It aims to disburse R3 billion in the next fiscal year.

\n

\nImprove the education system and develop the skills that we need<\/strong>

\n

\nLearning and culture receives the largest share of spending as Government continues to provide access to quality basic and higher education, develop skills, provide training and contribute to social cohesion.

\n

\nOver R30 billion is allocated to build new schools and maintain schooling infrastructure. An additional R2.8 billion is added to the School Infrastructure Backlogs grant to replace pit latrines at over 2 400 schools. But to make certain these schools are effective centres of learning will also require parents to be a visible and constructive part in the governance of schools.

\n

\nFully subsidised education and training for the poor is government’s flagship higher education intervention. Over the medium term government will spend R111.2 billion to ensure that 2.8 million deserving students from poor and working class families obtain their qualifications at universities and TVET colleges.

\n

\nFinally, the global renown of South Africa’s art and culture is an expression of our soft power and our heritage. Our public finance choices should reflect an intention to preserve and add to our cultural canon. Officials from the National Treasury and the Department of Arts and Culture will consider proposals for the development of a new national theatre, a new national museum, and also consider financial support for the National Archives, a national orchestra and ballet troupe.

\n

\nImprove the conditions of life for all South Africans, especially the poor<\/strong>

\n

\nIn the fight against poverty and inequality, Government has allocated R567 billion for social grant payments. In 2019, the grant values will increase as follows:<\/p>\n