budget

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced a significant change in its operations. As the year draws to a close, the organization will shutter its offices in Angola due to financial constraints. These decisions stem from a troubling decline in donations and funding, reflecting a broader global trend that is impacting humanitarian efforts worldwide. Emmanuelle Mitte, the UNHCR representative in Angola, articulated the challenges facing the organization. She emphasized that the closures,…

Enoch Godongwana, the Minister of Finance, made a notable reappearance in Parliament today, seeking to present the revised 2025 Budget Review after several prior attempts. This return to the legislative arena was not just routine; it carried the weight of expectation and anticipation. What led to this repeat moment? One might wonder. The atmosphere was charged as he approached the lectern. Legislators, many of whom had been following the fiscal discussions closely, perched on the edges of their seats. Godongwana’s task was…

On a notable day in South African finance, Minister Enoch Godongwana revealed that the 2025 Budget Review would be re-tabled on 21 May 2025. This decision came in the wake of National Treasury’s choice to retract a proposed 0.5% increase in Value Added Tax (VAT), initially scheduled to kick in on 1 May. Reflecting on the public and political discourse that erupted following the initial budget announcement made on 12 March, Godongwana stated, “This debate was rigorous, as is necessary in a healthy democracy.” Such…

Summit Highlights: A Call for Urgent Action in Somalia At the recent Extraordinary Summit of Troop Contributing Countries held in Entebbe, Uganda, regional leaders convened with a pressing sense of urgency. They voiced their deep concerns regarding the chronic underfunding of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission (AUSSOM). The conversation at this significant event pivoted around the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719, passed in December 2023, which authorizes the use of…

OCHA's Staffing Cuts: Navigating Unforeseen Challenges The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, known more commonly as OCHA, has been a vital player in the global humanitarian arena—akin to a beacon guiding aid to regions most in need. Their mission, to ensure that aid is delivered quickly and effectively to crises-stricken populations, is pivotal, especially amidst unfolding natural disasters and escalating conflicts. But with looming budget constraints, can OCHA continue to carry…

"Trump is emotionally pro-Brit," declared Reform leader Nigel Farage during a recent lunch gathering in the Palace of Westminster, addressing a room full of journalists. "Trump is the least isolationist, probably of the whole of the senior Republican Party," he asserted. True to his bold style, the close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his concerns about the opportunities missed in securing a free-trade agreement with the United States, lamenting that, "we've blown it." Farage revealed an interesting insight,…

The South African Parliament recently witnessed the unveiling of the 2025 Budget by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. This moment was particularly significant, especially after an intensive round of deliberations among Cabinet ministers. In a surprising twist, the ministers decided to convene once more to evaluate a reworked budget, ultimately rejecting it due to its contentious proposal for a 2% increase in Value-Added Tax (VAT). The discussions were fraught, bringing to mind the age-old adage: "two heads are better than…

In recent months, the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised an urgent alarm regarding significant funding reductions from the United States, stating that these cuts could lead to "a devastating impact" on crucial programs that are fighting tuberculosis (TB). TB remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally, and the repercussions of this funding shortfall could endanger the lives of millions. Over the last twenty years, global initiatives aimed at combating TB have successfully saved more than 79 million…

The Cabinet has finalized its contributions to the 2025 Budget, which Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is poised to present to Members of Parliament. This marks a significant moment in our fiscal planning. In a bid to craft a responsible and inclusive financial blueprint, ministers convened for an extraordinary session dedicated to navigating the intricate details of the Budget. This was not merely a routine meeting—it was a second attempt after the Cabinet previously dismissed a revised proposal that notably lacked the…

On the horizon looms a pivotal moment for South Africa’s fiscal landscape as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana prepares to present the much-anticipated 2025 Budget Speech. This speech is more than just a financial outline; it serves as a reflection of the government's priorities, intricately aligned with President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent State of the Nation Address. The task ahead is daunting: how to strike a balance between fostering economic growth and providing essential social support, all while navigating the…