South Africa’s parliament passed a crucial budget bill on Wednesday, ending months of political wrangling within its fragile coalition government.
The Appropriation Bill, which directs funding to national departments and public institutions, passed with a majority in the 400-member National Assembly.
Delays and revisions had plagued the bill for months as tensions mounted between the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), its main coalition partner.
Initially, the DA withheld support due to a controversial value-added tax hike, which the ANC later dropped after failing to rally votes.
The DA then objected to funding departments led by ANC ministers accused of misconduct, further stalling the process.
President Cyril Ramaphosa acted swiftly this week, dismissing one such minister on Monday, a move that prompted the DA to change course.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana acknowledged the strain of budgeting under a coalition, describing the process as politically challenging and often unpredictable.
The coalition, formed just a year ago, has tested the ANC’s grip on power after 30 years of dominance since apartheid ended in 1994.
On the same day the bill passed, the National Treasury issued new technical guidelines aimed at smoothing next year’s budget process.
It pledged greater continuity and political buy-in to avoid future gridlock, signalling a cautious step toward stability in the nation’s evolving political landscape.
