Cape Town Mayor Advocates for Pro-Poor Measures in Upcoming MTBPS

In a fervent appeal to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has made a strong case against the continuation of budget cuts that substantially impact the poor, particularly in the arena of housing and infrastructure. Anticipating the critical financial juncture of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), the mayor's plea resonates against the backdrop of last year's noticeable R107 million reduction in grant funding to Cape Town.

Mayor Hill-Lewis is championing the maintenance and increase of housing and informal settlements grants, highlighting their critical nature as some of the most forward-thinking and impactful uses of the budget. He underscores Cape Town's exemplary track record of effectively utilizing these funds, with a spend ratio of at least 99% over the previous half-decade.

In alignment with President Cyril Ramaphosa's promise during the 2024 State of the Nation Address, the mayor also called on Godongwana to significantly jack up infrastructure investment for urban centers. He stressed the ambitious R39.5 billion infrastructure venture Cape Town is undertaking over a three-year period, with an impressive 75% of this budget earmarked to uplift lower-income households. Yet, the aim is to amplify these efforts to accommodate the rapidly expanding needs of South Africa's soon-to-be most populous city.

With a population on the verge of surpassing five million citizens, Mayor Hill-Lewis accentuates the necessity for critical infrastructure development to prepare for the burgeoning future demands. He reminds the Finance Minister of the importance of not only the President's commitments to novel funding mechanisms and streamlined regulation processes but also ensuring that Cape Town's increasing populace is mirrored with an equitable share in the upcoming budget.

The mayor's earnest advocacy for pro-poor policies serves as an admonishment and a beacon of hope for the countless individuals counting on the government's promise to forge a more inclusive and sustainable socio-economic landscape.