South Africa’s DA calls for reforms to target 3.5% growth
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sabcnews
The Democratic Alliance (DA) considers the economic reforms announced by South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana insufficient and is calling for more ambitious measures to raise growth to at least 3.5%. Its MPs criticised the medium-term budget presented to Parliament, according to SABC News, while the 2026 growth forecast, already published, remains at 1.2%.
In South Africa, the Democratic Alliance (DA), a party represented in Parliament, is calling for “bolder and broader” economic reforms to raise growth to at least 3.5%. Its MP Kingsley Wakelin made the call after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presented the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) on Wednesday 21 October, according to SABC News.
The government has lowered its growth forecast for 2026 to 1.2%, from 1.6% in the February budget. Kingsley Wakelin said this level was not enough to reduce unemployment or create sufficient jobs. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) called the budget statement rhetorical, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) accused the minister of using the fuel levy cut to favour the ANC in the municipal elections on 4 November, SABC News reports.
The fuel levy is due to fall from 4 November, the date of the local elections. The EFF considers the measure electoralist and says it should be subject to greater parliamentary scrutiny. The cut in the growth forecast to 1.2% was announced by Enoch Godongwana on 21 October 2026 growth forecast lowered to 1.2%.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
