Not even the credibility of President Cyril Ramaphosa could sweep away the cloud of cynicism hanging over the National Assembly on Wednesday as Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba delivered his first budget speech while facing an uncertain political future. The EFF was not in the house after its request to Ramaphosa on his rise to the highest office in SA: fire Gigaba as the finance minister. A bespectacled Ramaphosa, sitting near Gigaba and sifting through documents, listened attentively to the minister. The president appeared far more engaged in contrast to his immobility and stoical body language as deputy president when he heard Gigaba deliver the medium-term budget policy statement in October. The only heckling that Gigaba had to put up with came in the form of sporadic jibes from DA MPs. The ANC members played the role of an adoring audience to the embattled minister. To every optimistic projection of economic growth from Gigaba, DA MPs loudly sighed, "Oh please!" But ANC MPs gave ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.