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Tomorrow’s presentation of KwaZulu-Natal’s 2024/25 budget – by recently installed DA Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers – will be a litmus test of both his and the newly-minted government of provincial unity (GPU) priorities.

During the build-up to the May 2024 elections, the DA made its priorities for KZN very clear. These include economic growth and the creation of 300 000 new jobs, a provincial police service, an independent provincial corruption unit, urgent expenditure to fix water delivery infrastructure, improved hospital waiting times and the establishment of a school evaluation authority.

While many of these priorities fall outside of the responsibility of MEC Rodgers in his role as provincial Treasurer, the reality is that none of them can be achieved without funding.

The MEC therefore faces an extremely difficult juggling act in balancing KZN’s stark financial landscape - caused by a stagnant economy and years of maladministration – while finding new and innovative ways to boost revenue to fund the urgent needs of KZN’s residents. This is vital as it is evident that no additional help is coming from national treasury.

It is clear that massive consolidation is required in order to create a platform for economic growth. MEC Rodgers has already demonstrated this by closing a secondary Treasury office in Durban, saving an estimated R1million annually. Similarly, KZN’s new DA Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer has committed to rid that department of its liabilities and to stop the fiscal bleeding caused by construction mafia.

A similar approach must now be adopted by all departments. As with any budget, there are times when it is necessary to cut the frills, get back to basics and find new ways of generating income.

In this regard, MEC Rodgers needs to push hard to move potential tourism income generating entities including Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) and others under the Treasury umbrella to enable his department to proactively generate income. This and other measures are the only way to fund critical areas including KZN’s non-profit organisations and the Health and Education sectors, all of which are facing fiscal collapse.

The DA is confident that MEC Rodgers – unlike his predecessors - will present an honest appraisal of KZN’s finances. His challenge will be to apply the brakes on runaway spending and start the gradual reverse from the edge of the disastrous fiscal cliff facing our province.

Issued by Tim Brauteseth, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on Finance and SCOPA