Budget Speech 2024 Conclusion

 

Madam Speaker, we have come a long way in the last 30 years. The 30 years ahead of us, and whatever challenges and opportunities they may bring, are something we should look forward to.

 

Given our difficult past, and some of the inevitable challenges we have faced as a young democracy trying to find its place in a world marked by a number of new and overlapping crises, it would be easy to indulge in extremes; either of blind optimism or crippling pessimism.

 

We should resist both these extremes.

 

Rather, we should heed the words of our first democratic President, Nelson Mandela, who more than most saw that the pursuit of socioeconomic justice and shared prosperity is a journey rather than a destination.

 

Allow me quote him at length:

 

"I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way.

 

But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

 

I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come.

 

But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended."

 

Inde lendlela.

 

Madam Speaker, as I conclude, I want to remind South Africans that the message they should take from this Budget is this: government is making the most out of very limited resources. We continue to:

 

 

I am grateful to the President and Deputy President for their continued support and leadership.

 

Thank you to the Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr David Masondo, and the excellent National Treasury team led by the Director-General, Dr Duncan Pieterse.

 

Thank you to the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service and the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank.

 

Thank you to my colleagues in the Ministers' Committee on the Budget and in the Budget Council who share the heavy load of the tough decisions that we make to maintain sustainable public finances.

 

To Parliamentary Committees of Finance, Appropriations and Public Accounts, I express my sincere appreciation.

 

To my wife and family, your love, support and forbearance are a daily inspiration.

 

Lastly, thank you to each and every South African.

 

 

 

Thank You.