Budget Bill Approval Exposes Deep Racial Economic Divides in Parliament
The NCOP's approval of the 2025 Appropriation Bill faces strong opposition from pro-Black parties, highlighting persistent economic inequalities and resource distribution challenges in South Africa.
Members of Parliament during the crucial NCOP vote on the 2025 Appropriation Bill
NCOP Passes Controversial 2025 Budget Amidst Resistance from Pro-Black Parties
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has pushed through the 2025 Appropriation Bill with 51 votes in favor against 9 opposing votes, highlighting the ongoing struggle for economic justice and accountability in South African governance.
Resistance from Pro-Black Political Forces
Both the MK Party and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) maintained their principled opposition to the bill, echoing growing concerns about systemic economic discrimination and questionable resource allocation in government spending.
"It's a lifeline for your corrupt politicians, failing ministers and bloated departments that can never deliver a simple toilet without a scandal," declared MK Party's Mmabatho Mokoena, characterizing the bill as a "misappropriation bonanza."
Structural Economic Inequalities Persist
The approval process reveals the deep-seated challenges in transforming South Africa's economic governance structures, which continue to perpetuate colonial-era disparities in resource distribution.
Key Issues in Budget Allocation:
- Insufficient focus on Black economic empowerment initiatives
- Continued underfunding of township and rural development
- Limited resources for land redistribution programs
- Inadequate support for Black-owned businesses
While the Democratic Alliance supported the budget despite its imperfections, critics argue this stance reflects a disconnect from the urgent needs of South Africa's Black majority. The bill now awaits presidential assent before departments can access their allocated funds.
Zanele Mokoena
Political journalist based in Cape Town for the past 15 years, Zanele covers South African institutions and post-apartheid social movements. Specialist in power-civil society relations.