NGOs Comment on Budget 2009/10

Friday, February 13, 2009 – 13:03

The 2009/10 National Budget was presented by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel on 11 February 2009 in Cape Town. SANGONeT invited various NGOs to comment on specific issues in the budget relevant to their core work and areas of interest.

The 2009/10 National Budget was presented by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel on 11 February 2009 in Cape Town.

SANGONeT invited various NGOs to comment on specific issues in the budget relevant to their core work and areas of interest.

Most NGOs acknowledge the unique challenges that the Minister of Finance faced in preparing this year’s budget as a result of the global financial crisis and its impact on the South African economy.

However, the key issue highlighted in most NGO comments is not the availability of more or less money compared to previous budget commitments, but rather concerns about the ability and capacity of government departments to deliver services in line with their mandate.

Similarly, questions are raised about the lack of recognition for the role of NGOs, especially in this difficult economic climate, when often it is NGOs which have to respond to the needs of the poor in the absence of sufficient capacity and service delivery by government departments.

The following NGOs have commented on the budget (click on the name of the organisation):