Parliament has approved the Appropriation Bill for the 2025/2026 financial year, a key step that allows the government to start using its budget for services like health, education, and social grants.
Parliament approves Appropriation Bill South Africa to unlock 2025 national budget
The Appropriation Bill is a law that tells the government how to divide and spend its money.
This money comes from taxes and other income collected by the state. The law makes sure every government department knows how much money it can spend during the year.
Without it, government services would stop because there would be no legal permission to use public funds.
What the 2025 budget includes
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presented the national budget in May 2025. The total government spending for the year will be R2.3 trillion.
- R1.17 trillion will go to national departments such as Health, Education, and Police.
- R1.1 trillion will be used for social grants, support for provinces and municipalities, and paying off government debt.
Most of this budget — over 72% — will go to transfers and subsidies. This means that money will be passed from national government to provinces, municipalities, public organisations, and non-profit groups.
Where the extra money is going
An extra R180 billion has been set aside over the next three years to improve:
- Infrastructure like roads and buildings
- Public servants’ salaries
- Job creation by hiring doctors and teachers
- Public transport
- Extension of COVID-19 relief grants
These additions aim to boost service delivery and help vulnerable people in the country.
Warnings and suggestions from oversight bodies
When Parliament reviews the Appropriation Bill, it must consult with other groups like the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) and the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO).
- The FFC warned that departments like Trade, Science, and Small Business should not be underfunded.
- The PBO said there should be a stronger link between how money is spent and what results it delivers, such as creating jobs or reducing poverty. They also advised that government departments should not do the same work, and that laws should be changed if overlaps are found.
Now that the National Assembly has approved the Bill, it will be sent to the National Council of Provinces. If the Council agrees, it will go to the president to be signed into law.
Once signed, the government can start spending money according to the new law, making sure services and projects move forward without delays.