BOSA's Maimane launches 'Budget to the people' initiative at Parliament
The party said the initiative would ask South Africans exactly what they wanted to see in the national budget, which Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will table in exactly a week.
The initiative will span the next seven days through budget community town halls, including a digital service to canvass South African views.
Maimane said that BOSA would ask South Africans one simple question: "What do you want to see in the national budget?"
He said that the last two attempts to table the national budget had been marred by "political infighting" and a "deadlock" within the Government of National Unity (GNU), paralysing Parliament while citizens continue to suffer.
He said that it was time to listen to citizens and what they wanted to be included in the budget.
"We begin and we launch this tour of going around and seeing people, asking them their input in what we would like to call the people's budget tour. It will be a seven-day mobilisation where we will hear from ordinary South Africans about what they want to see. We will be going around asking them."
Maimane said that during the initiative, BOSA would be engaging citizens on the party's growth charter, a blueprint for how South Africa can grow the economy at 5% per year.
"For too long, national budgets have served the connected first, and the citizens second. This budget is not just a financial document. It tells us who and what the government truly values. Our 'Budget to the people' initiative is about shifting that power back to the people of South Africa," said Maimane.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
17 minutes ago
- IOL News
Appropriation Bill Finally Passed After Late-Night Confusion in Parliament
One of the biggest surprises came when MK Party Chief Whip Colleen Makhubele voted "yes" to the bill, even though her party had clearly said it would vote against it. This led to confusion in the National Assembly, with MPs looking around, unsure if they had heard her correctly. Image: ARCHIVES After a long day of debates and delays, Parliament finally passed the 2025 and 2026 Appropriation Bill late on Wednesday night. The bill, which allows the government to spend money on services like schools, hospitals and roads, was approved with enough votes from members of the new Government of National Unity. But the night did not go smoothly. One of the biggest surprises came when MK Party Chief Whip Colleen Makhubele voted "yes" to the bill, even though her party had clearly said it would vote against it. This led to confusion in the National Assembly, with MPs looking around, unsure if they had heard her correctly Next Stay Close ✕ . Makhubele later said she thought the vote was for something else. She quickly changed her vote to 'no' after realising her mistake. But by then, MPs from other parties had already started heckling her. Some laughed. Others shouted. A few told her she was not ready for the job. But Makhubele stood up and explained herself. 'I am new in this role,' she said. 'Mistakes do happen.' She added that she did not mean to vote in favour of the bill and had simply misunderstood what was being voted on at the time. Even with the confusion, the Appropriation Bill passed. Members of the African National Congress, the Democratic Alliance and other coalition partners voted in favour. This helped the new Government of National Unity show that it can work together to pass important laws, even with all the noise and disagreements. Many South Africans were watching closely. This was the first big test for the new Parliament after the national elections. The bill is important because it tells the government how much money it can spend and where that money will go. Without it, many departments would not be able to function properly. Some people say the mistake by Makhubele was not a big deal. Others believe it shows there is still a lot of confusion in this new Parliament, especially with so many different parties involved. One MP, who asked not to be named, said after the vote, 'This is going to happen a lot. There are too many new faces, and not everyone is on the same page.' So far, the MK Party has not said whether it will take any action against Makhubele. She is still quite new to the position of chief whip, and some say it would be unfair to punish her for what looked like an honest mistake. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said he was happy the bill had passed. He said it was a sign that, despite the disagreements, Parliament was still able to do its job. 'This is an important moment,' he said. 'Now we can focus on getting services to the people.'
IOL News
17 minutes ago
- IOL News
President Appoints Judicial Inquiry Into Criminal Justice Interference
President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a big step by officially appointing a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate claims of interference in South Africa's criminal justice system. Image: ANC/X President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a big step by officially appointing a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate claims of interference in South Africa's criminal justice system. The announcement was made through a government gazette on Wednesday and comes after growing public concern over the state of law enforcement in the country. The inquiry will be led by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, a respected judge with years of experience in the legal field. He will be in charge of finding out whether criminal networks or individuals have been able to influence or manipulate the justice system for their benefit. The commission has been given clear terms of reference, meaning it will look into specific areas such as the police, the prosecution system, and other institutions meant to protect the public. The aim is to find out if criminals or corrupt officials are playing a role behind the scenes. Next Stay Close ✕ This move follows serious claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Speaking in recent weeks, Mkhwanazi said he believed that parts of the police and broader justice system had been infiltrated by criminal elements. He warned that some officials were using their positions to protect criminals and to interfere with investigations. His comments shocked many and led to strong reactions from the public and political leaders. Some called for immediate action, saying the country cannot afford to have crime-fighting institutions influenced by the very people they are supposed to be stopping. In response to the concerns, President Ramaphosa has now acted by setting up this commission. In the gazette, he stated that the goal of the inquiry is to uncover the truth and restore trust in the system. He said all South Africans have the right to feel safe and to believe that the justice system is working for them, not against them. Justice Madlanga will have the power to call witnesses, gather evidence and make recommendations. The process may take months, but the outcome could lead to big changes in how the justice system is managed and protected. Minister of Police Bheki Cele and Minister of Public Service and Administration Senzo Mchunu are also expected to make submissions to Parliament regarding the allegations. Mchunu said he was preparing a full report that would deal with how appointments and oversight in the public service may have opened the door for criminal interference. Meanwhile, political parties have welcomed the inquiry but warned that it must be fair and transparent. The Democratic Alliance said that the commission must not be used to cover up deeper problems. The Economic Freedom Fighters said that long-standing issues in the police and prosecution services needed to be exposed once and for all. Ordinary South Africans have also weighed in. Many say they hope the inquiry will lead to change. 'We are tired of hearing that criminals are protected by those in power,' said one resident in Durban. 'If this commission can clean things up, then it is long overdue.' The commission will begin its work soon, although no exact dates have been confirmed yet for public hearings or final findings. Until then, all eyes will be on Justice Madlanga and the team around him.
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Building a Career in Marketing
The second session of the 2025 Marketing Masterclass series, hosted by Daily Maverick in partnership with eatbigfish Africa, the Association for Communication & Advertising (ACA), and the Marketing Association of South Africa (MASA), delved into what it takes to build a successful marketing career in today's fast-changing world. Hosted by David Blyth and Khaya Dlanga from eatbigfish Africa, the session featured two inspiring voices: Sharon Keith, Non-Executive Director, Consultant and Coach, began her career in HR before transitioning into marketing at Unilever. Sharon has since built a globally recognised career, holding marketing leadership roles for some of the worlds most admired brands. Suhana Gordhan, Chief Creative Officer at LoveSong and founder of Open Chair. Suhana has forged a celebrated path in advertising as a copywriter and creative director, known for her award-winning work and advocacy for inclusion in the industry. Their journeys and insights offered a powerful reminder that a successful marketing career isn't built on a straight line – it's built on curiosity, resilience, and an unwavering connection to people. Career Paths That Break the Mold Both speakers began their careers outside of marketing, and both credit that diversity of experience as a strength. Sharon shared her story of persistence after multiple rejections and how her move from HR into marketing ignited her passion for influencing human behaviour and building brands. Suhana has a background in drama and English – she entered the advertising world through copywriting, eventually rising through the ranks to creative leadership. Her latest endeavour, Open Chair, focuses on improving representation and creating opportunities for women in advertising, a sector that still faces significant gender gaps in senior leadership. Human Insight Over Hype One of the main themes that resonated strongly throughout the discussion was that marketers need stay close to real people. Sharon emphasised how field immersion – spending time with consumers, in their environments, helped organisations like Unilever develop marketing and advertising that would resonate more deeply with South Africans. 'Great marketing starts where the consumer lives, not where the marketer sits,' she noted. In an era dominated by dashboards and data, both panellists called for marketers to get out from behind their screens and back into the real world. Technology is a Tool, Not a Crutch AI and automation featured prominently in the conversation, but not as a magic bullet. Both speakers acknowledged that while AI can assist and accelerate processes, creativity still demands human nuance, lived experienced, cultural understanding, and emotional intelligence. Technology should amplify creativity, not replace it – warning against the temptation to rely solely on algorithms for insight. Building Inclusive Communities Diversity and inclusion aren't just buzzwords, they're business imperatives. Suhana spoke passionately about relaunching Open Chair with the backing of industry leaders. The initiative provides mentorship and networking opportunities for women in advertising, aiming to close the gender gap in senior roles and create a pipeline of future leaders. Advice for Young Marketers For those starting out in their careers, the panellists offered practical guidance: Be open, resilient, and stay curious. Success often comes from unexpected directions. Learn actively and seek feedback. Growth is a conversation, not a solo journey. Understand the bigger picture. Marketing is about how your work drives revenue, profit, and shareholder value. The Marketer's Mandate Marketing remains central to business success, but the expectations of marketers are evolving. Both speakers emphasised that marketers need to raise the bar – not only in the quality of their work but also in how they advocate for their role internally. They advised those thinking of entering the industry to invest in continuous learning, to join industry bodies, and to contribute to conversations that move the profession forward. They emphasised how important it is to lead with empathy – because creativity thrives in environments where people feel safe, and are happy. Leading with Humanity The discussion closed with a powerful reminder: treat people well. The next session in the series is on 31 July and will continue this journey of learning and inspiration. Stay tuned to for details and join the conversation shaping the future of marketing in South Africa. DM
