CAPE TOWN - Civil society groups from across the country are marching to Parliament ahead of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s 2026 Budget Speech.
The groups are calling on the minister to fix and adequately fund public services, create decent employment opportunities, and introduce an income grant for the unemployed.
They are expected to hand over a memorandum of demands to government officials at Parliament.
One of the organisers, Madoda Cuphe, said representatives from all nine provinces are taking part in the march. The groups will be joined by Cosatu and Saftu.
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Cuphe said they want government to reconsider its spending priorities so that communities can experience meaningful improvements in their quality of life.
“We want to say to the minister it’s been 30 years since the effects of austerity and budget cuts. This has led to jobs being shed. Our communities are collapsing and we live in filth."
He added that they want a budget that responds to the needs of the poor and tackles unemployment.
“We want a social grant to be given to all unemployed people," he added.