The rand and the markets have reacted positively to a 2026 budget which forecast modest annual economic growth of 1.6% and a stabilisation of government debt which remains incredibly high but is expected to drop following the 2025/26 financial year. Finance Minister Enoch Godongoana also announced some relief for tax payers with the government decision to withdraw the 20-billion-rand in tax increases which were provisionally included in the May 2025 Budget. However, did the budget go far enough in addressing the country’s three major economic problems of poverty, unemployment and inequality? Over the next couple of hours we’ll be hearing from different political parties, experts and civil organisations as they react to the 2026 Budget.