AIDC slams 2026 Budget, cites failure to address unemployment crisis

The Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) said that the 2026 budget speech prioritised investor-friendly policies over improving the lives of the poor.

In a statement following Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana’s address earlier this week, the non-profit organisation rejected the national budget.

The AIDC argues that the projected 2% growth by 2028 is insufficient, proposing a sustained growth rate of 3% to make a meaningful impact on unemployment

AIDC media liaison officer, Busi Mtabane, said, "The 2026 budget offers no bold strategy to create permanent and decent work, whereas South Africa faces a structural unemployment crisis."

Mtabane has also criticised government for the unemployment rate, claiming that it is four times higher than the National Development Plan’s target for the year 2030.

"The AIDC notes that the government points to 2.5 million work opportunities created through the presidential employment stimulus, but these are largely temporary, insecure and poorly paid placements."