South Africa has entered uncharted waters following deep divisions in the coalition government over the national budget that has finally been tabled after a month-long delay.

The Democratic Alliance, the second-biggest party in South Africa’s ruling coalition, said it would only support the national budget if it met certain criteria including placing more emphasis on economic growth.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has tabled the 2025 Budget Speech with R5 billion going to the SANDF and it's work in the DRC.

Finance Minster Enoch Godongwana Wednesday tabled his budget for the for the 2025/2026 financial year, a month after it was postponed following a fall-out with the ANC’s biggest coalition partner over value-added tax hikes.

South Africa's finance minister unveiled Wednesday a budget with a smaller increase in value-added tax than previously proposed, but it was immediately rejected by a key party in the unity government.

South Africa's cabinet was still meeting on the 2025 budget less than one hour before the finance minister was due to present it in parliament on Wednesday, a source from the Democratic Alliance party said,

Business leaders have warned that South Africa cannot get complacent thinking that the tabled budget on Wednesday (12 March) is a done deal, saying that it has not been passed, and great uncertainty lies ahead.

South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana may have to make changes to the national budget after parties that control more than half the seats in parliament rejected his plans to raise taxes.

South Africa's budget may be tweaked further as more talks between political parties will try to overcome differences over a contentious plan to raise value-added tax, the country's finance minister told Reuters.

Explore how South Africa's proposed 16% VAT rate stacks up against global standards and what it means for consumers.