By Lwazi Nongauza

Job creation, tertiary education funding and youth entrepreneurship stimulation are some of the issues SA Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will prioritize in this year’s budget speech on the 20^th February.

On the 24^th of January, Minister Mboweni  invited citizens to share their views (via Twitter: @TreasuryRSA with the hashtag #TipsForMinFin and #RSABudget2019) about issues they would like the Minister to highlight in his budget speech.

Activators used alternative platforms to make their voices heard. The social change drivers’ suggestions to Minister Mboweni focus mainly on Activate Leadership Big 5 areas.

In addressing the South African Youth Economic Participation challenge, Kwazulu Natal based Activator Duane Kok suggested that the 2019 budget speech must allocate adequate funds for youth development projects

“The only good news that can come of Minister Mboweni is hearing that government has availed more money for youth owned SME’s.  It will really be good for government to always take us as serious as they always do when they want our votes.’’ said Kok

 Sipho Mnisi pleaded with Minister Mboweni to primarily use his budget in a way that will ensure that South Africans are interconnected with the world around us and as a country we don’t fall behind the fourth industrial revolution.

Taking into consideration the Department of Health budget steady increase over the years (2014 – R145.7 billion – 2015 – R150 billion – 2016 – R178 billion – 2017 – R606 billion – 2018 – R205.4 billion), Activator Uzzi Nkosikhona Uthmaan Mpungose eagerly awaits to hear  Department of Health budgetary detailed plans and end goal vision for the financial year ahead.

‘’I am particularly interested to hear if Minister Mboweni’s  budget speech will clarify the ongoing confusion about the future of National Development Agency (NDA) if or when it is  removed from Department of Social Development. Hopefully this year’s financial resources plan will clearly tell us how far will NDA be able to execute its primary  of strengthening  civil society organization to build a society that is free from social ills’’ said Mpungose

On the other hand, Gauteng based educator Themba Mzima and scientist Penester Tjale who have vested knowledge in alternative literacy methods of learning  applauded government’s 2018 medium term budget among other financial resources of an allocated R31.7 billion infrastructure grant. Mzima called on government to prioritize vocational training as one of the important ways of learning that empowers everyone to be active citizen.

Fix sluggish economy and everything will fall into place.

Economist Tshegofatso Ramatlo  pleaded with treasury to use the budget speech to inspire confidence not just to investors and law-makers but also young desperate South Africans.

“Young people are no longer interested hearing same old stories that don’t change people’s material life conditions. Therefore I expect Minister Mboweni to outline the practical steps on how our government is going to create jobs and accelerate youth entrepreneurship.” said Ramatlo

What would you like Finance Minister Tito Mboweni to prioritize in this year’s budget speech? Tell us @ActivateZA