South Africa's Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, has announced a 0.5% increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) for the current financial year, with an additional 0.5% hike planned for 2026. This measure aims to address urgent revenue needs amidst ongoing political negotiations within the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered the 2025 National Budget Speech on Wednesday (12 March). The budget addressed several key points, including the country’s current economic status, growth projections, substantial debt servicing costs, proposed increases in VAT and sin taxes, and the continuation of the social relief grant.

South Africa’s 2025 budget is a cautious step toward fiscal stability, with debt peaking at 76.2% of GDP in 2025-26 and a narrowing deficit. For employees, it offers short-term respite but lacks the ambition to transform lives.

South Africa's budget may be tweaked further as more talks between political parties will try to overcome differences over a contentious plan to raise value-added tax, the country's finance minister told Reuters.

South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana may have to make changes to the national budget after parties that control more than half the seats in parliament rejected his plans to raise taxes.

Explore how South Africa's proposed 16% VAT rate stacks up against global standards and what it means for consumers.

This is the view of analysts after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's budget drew a backlash from various quarters, including a key partner in the coalition government rejecting his proposals for a second time.

South Africa's finance minister unveiled Wednesday a budget with a smaller increase in value-added tax than previously proposed, but the move was still rejected by trade unions who say any rise in taxes that will have a negative impact on the country’s poorest is unacceptable.