Hon Chair, the NFP welcomes the fact that additional funding will not be allocated to new Budget Votes in departments. I have previously alluded to the debt and cost of debt, so I will not go into that. Suffice to say that measures must be put in place to reduce our debt.
Social infrastructure projects are paramount to the upliftment of the lives of millions of South Africans who continue to suffer as a result of a lack of basic services, such as schools not fully equipped with libraries, computers, science laboratories; clinics; hospitals; nursing training colleges, etc.
This budget will surely enhance the lives of the people of South Africa. The National Procurement Officer, whose task it is to ensure that pricing standards are maintained throughout South Africa, is certainly a step in the right direction and will help to reduce corruption and tender fraud.
All funded vacancies must be prioritised and filled immediately. Hon Chairperson, those found guilty of fraud, corruption and maladministration should and must not do business with government. National Treasury must ensure that measures are put in place to increase the budget allocation for higher education. The fact that we do not receive the desired effect must be addressed, as value for money is pivotal in a developing country and a young democracy, such as South Africa with its various challenges. In the interest of all 52 million people of South Africa, the NFP will support this budget. I thank you.
Vote 11 - Public Enterprises - put.
Declarations of vote: