Implementation will be the proverbial proof in the pudding

The minister's repeated reference to the National Development Plan (NDP) in his budget speech provides some level of policy direction as it appears that the NDP, previously declared as the cornerstone of government policy, appears to have lost some traction in recent times...

Agri SA President Johannes Möller said, "I trust that the Minister of Finance, Nhlanhla Nene will not become another lonely voice amidst the current situation of uncertainty, specifically policy uncertainty faced by the private sector and the country as a whole.

"As the minister admitted, implementation will be the proverbial proof in the pudding."

Patchwork will not suffice

"The minister's acknowledgement that structural challenges and competitiveness should be addressed to stimulate production and investment in our country is laudable. It will, however, require honesty and clarity of thought on what needs to be done; patchwork will not suffice. The real causes of unemployment and the unsustainable reliance of more than 16 million people on government grants, should dictate the agenda. We also agree with the minister that progress in agriculture requires a constructive labour relations environment and well targeted support for emerging enterprises. Agri SA already cooperates with various institutions including government to achieve this and will continue to do so," Möller said.

Möller welcomed the statements made by the minister in relation to funds allocated to provinces to enhance agricultural development and to increase access to finance by emerging farmers. "We welcome the intended organisational review of the Land Bank with a view to supporting emerging and commercial farmers. This institution remains of paramount importance as a financial intermediary in the sector."

Möller admitted that the minister had an extremely difficult task to deliver a budget speech amidst serious economic problems and very subdued economic growth. "If the minister can succeed in achieving the content of the budget speech it will indeed be praiseworthy."