Ramaphosa: Budget postponement necessary for unity despite GNU differences

By Simon Nare

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged ordinary citizens to seize the opportunity presented by the postponement of the 2025 budget to deepen their understanding of its implications and what it means for them.

Writing in his weekly newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa said it was greatly encouraging to witness the public engagement on social media sparked by the postponement.

He wrote that the government’s hope that this interest will stimulate a vital national dialogue on funding national priorities and the necessary trade-offs.

The president said although the postponement was unfortunate it should not however plant any doubt about the resolve of the Government of National Unity.

He added that the last-minute postponement gave rise to concerns and uncertainty among South Africans.

That also spread to investors and financial markets who look to the budget for important signals about the state and direction of the economy.

“Cabinet decided to postpone