What makes this year’s Budget Speech by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana make headlines is the proposal of a VAT increase. Opposition parties and civil society groups had vowed to oppose any VAT increase citing the impact it will have on the poor. So many suggestions have been made, even by members of the public as to what the government needs to do to increase revenue. So this morning, we thought to speak to experts on whether a VAT increase is the only solution and where else he should be looking to increase the much-needed revenue. To help us through this discussion, we are joined by…

Guest: Mervyn Abrahams – Programme Coordinator at the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity

Guest: Duma Gqubule- Research Associate at Social Policy Initiative

Guest: Elizabeth Biney - A member of the Steering Committee of the Budget Justice Coalition