MTBPS – Every additional Rand of revenue collected is one Rand less which we have to borrow.

Loading player...
GUEST – Musa Manyathi Director for Tax at Deloitte Africa



Our public finances are significantly weaker. The main budget deficit has increased by R54.7 billion compared with the 2023 Budget estimates. This reflects lower revenue performance, higher wage bill costs and higher projected debt-service costs.



The main reasons for this are a sharp fall in corporate income tax, particularly from the mining sector, although personal income tax collection was better than forecast. The result of the shortfall is a substantial worsening in the main budget deficit in the current fiscal year.



We are now projecting a deficit of 4.9 per cent of GDP compared to our previous estimate of 4.0 percent. Under these circumstances, measures to stabilise public finances and reform the economy to generate higher growth are essential. We recognise that alongside these measures, our most effective way of funding government is through an efficient tax administration and by broadening the tax base.



SARS will continue its focus on enforcing compliance in areas such as debt collection, fraud prevention, curbing illicit trade, voluntary disclosures, and encouraging honest taxpayers to comply voluntarily. Every additional Rand of revenue collected is one Rand less which we have to borrow
1 Nov 2023 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

TECH & INNOVATION: Top social media trends to watch in 2026

Social media continues to evolve at lightning speed, reshaping how brands connect with audiences. As we navigate through 2026, the landscape is being defined by emotional storytelling, authentic connections and a strategic balance between human creativity and AI-powered innovation. The numbers paint a compelling picture: South Africa is home to…
24 Feb 3PM 10 min

SAT - Celebrating 20 Years of Connecting Africa to the World

What began as a strategic initiative by South African Tourism has grown into one of the continent’s most influential business events platforms. Meetings Africa was created to position Africa not just as a leisure destination, but as a serious global player in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions — or…
24 Feb 3PM 21 min

Salaries rise in January ahead of National Budget relief expectations

With the 2026 National Budget looming, South African salary earners are hoping that modest wage growth will finally translate into real financial relief rather than being absorbed by inflation and tax pressures. While recent data shows nominal salary increases, real wages remain under pressure, reflecting the broader tension between economic…
24 Feb 3PM 16 min

Fix the basics: South Africa’s 2026 budget must make local government work

As South Africa moves closer to the next local government election cycle, the pressure on the 2026 National Budget to demonstrate real, measurable progress at municipal level is intensifying. Dr Clement Moyo, economist at Ntiyiso Industrialisation Consulting explains why fixing local government the biggest economic priority in this Budget.
24 Feb 3PM 10 min