Budget 3.0: South Africa Cuts Education and Health Funding, Hikes Fuel Tax

South Africa’s latest budget has sparked controversy by slashing funding for education and health while increasing the fuel levy. Additional education spending, which was initially set at $1.6 billion in March, was reduced to $1.1 billion, jeopardizing efforts to safeguard approximately 5,500 teaching posts. Similarly, health allocations faced significant cuts, raising concerns about the nation’s capacity to maintain essential services. Beyond these, the new budget also proposes cuts to defense spending, the early retirement program, and Home Affairs. Critics argue that these fiscal decisions prioritize short-term revenue generation over long-term investments in human capital. As the government defends its approach as necessary for economic stability, public outcry underscores the tension between austerity measures and social welfare.

Daily Maverick