# budget tips 2026

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-tips-2026/
- Published: 2026-02-02T18:19:01+02:00
- Author: dearSA

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![The Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, invites South Africans to share 
their suggestions on the 2026 Budget.](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/
uploads/2026/02/02170239/Budget-tips-2026-header.jpg "Budget tips 2026 header")

![DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/
02/08135845/DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA.png "DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA")

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comments individually delivered to the Minister (closed 16 February 2026)

### The Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, invited South Africans to share their suggestions on the 2026 Budget.

Minister Godongwana will deliver the National Budget Speech on 25 February 2026.
The budget allocation aims to strike a balance between growing the economy and supporting
the vulnerable amid limited resources. People submitted views on:

    1.  the economy and fiscus 94
    2.  government spending 815
    3.  addressing a large budget defecit 64
    4.  stabilising SOE finances 75
    5.  energy and water investments 125
    6.  tax revenues 68
    7.  debt sustainability 38
    8.  municipal finances 98
    9.  all of the above 2453
    10. other 189
    11. no concern 4

[ view a report, statements, documents and videos](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-tips-2026/summary)

## Have your say – shape the budget [CLOSED] 

**What is your top concern for the 2026 budget allocation? (scroll down for an explanation
of each point) **

the fields below are optional ——————————

**What is your preferred channel for feedback on this campaign?**

**Your preferred language?**

**What is your status? (for our reporting purposes only) **

 **Check your email address then hit send! You will be redirected to a confirmation
page. **

![D-icon](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/11192438/
D-icon-40x40-1.png "D-icon-40x40")

### _Top concerns_

[1. The Economy & The Fiscus](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-tips-2026/#1770131112026-5a70eb21-10f1)

**_Context:_** Growth is currently projected at 1.6% for 2026. Economists generally
agree we need 5%+ to significantly slash unemployment.

**_Survey Question:_ **Given the current low growth rate, which single policy change
would most effectively encourage businesses to invest and create jobs in South Africa?

[2. Government Spending Priorities](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-tips-2026/#1770131112043-0e75ef86-4b6c)

**_Context:_** Over 60% of non-interest spending goes toward the “Social Wage” (
Education, Health, Social Grants). However, the public often highlights “wasteful
expenditure” (VIP security, bloated cabinets).

**_Survey Question:_** If you had to reallocate 5% of the current budget from one
department to another, where would you take it from, and where should it go?

[3. Addressing the Large Budget Deficit](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-tips-2026/#1770131281853-5866958a-b51c)

_**Context:**_ We are spending more than we earn, filling the gap with loans. The
deficit is roughly 4.6% of GDP.

**_Survey Question:_** To bridge the budget gap, should the government focus more
on cutting current expenditure or finding new ways to grow revenue without raising
taxes?

[4. Stabilising State-Owned Entity (SOE) Finances](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-tips-2026/#1770131323251-266a4851-6c9c)

_**Context:**_ Bailouts for entities like Eskom and Transnet have cost taxpayers
hundreds of billions.

_**Survey Question:**_ Should the government continue to provide financial bailouts
to struggling SOEs, or should these entities be required to find private-sector 
partners to stay afloat?

[5. Energy and Water Investments](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-tips-2026/#1770131431265-f8ea2b06-87c8)

**Context:** This year, the focus has expanded to include water. Maintenance backlogs
in water infrastructure are now considered a “tier-one” economic risk alongside 
energy.

**Survey Question:** What should be the priority for infrastructure funding: building
new renewable energy projects or repairing existing municipal water and sanitation
systems?

[6. Tax Policies & Revenues](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-tips-2026/#1770131466587-b94cabcc-887f)

**Context:** Personal Income Tax is the largest revenue source. “Fiscal drag” (not
adjusting tax brackets for inflation) often hits the middle class hardest.

**Survey Question:** Which tax adjustment would most help your household or business:
a reduction in Personal Income Tax, a VAT holiday on more essential items, or corporate
tax incentives for hiring?

[7. Debt Sustainability (The "Service Costs")](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-tips-2026/#1770131511971-c36be502-5ad8)

**Context:** As we discussed, debt interest (R434.9bn) is one of the fastest-growing
budget items.

**Survey Question:** As interest payments on debt now exceed the health budget, 
what is your ‘tip’ for the Minister to prevent the country from falling into a debt
trap?

[8. Municipal Finances](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-tips-2026/#1770131554138-9128e75b-7b1d)

**Context:** Over half of SA’s municipalities are considered “in financial distress,”
with billions in uncollected debt.

**Survey Question:** How can the National Budget better support municipalities: 
through more direct grants or by enforcing stricter consequences for financial mismanagement?

[ View more info](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-tips-2026/summary)