The African National Congress (ANC) released a statement on 24 February 2026 outlining its expectations ahead of the 2026 National Budget.
The statement focuses on fiscal stability, social protection, tax relief and stronger local government performance as South Africa prepares for the Budget tabling.
What is happening?
The ANC says the 2026 National Budget should:
- Consolidate fiscal stability
- Accelerate structural reforms
- Protect social spending
- Expand infrastructure investment
- Strengthen local government accountability
According to the statement, inflation has moderated, the rand has strengthened and borrowing costs have eased. The party expects the Budget to build on this momentum while keeping public debt stable as a percentage of GDP.
It also anticipates adjustments to personal income tax brackets for inflation and the withdrawal of previously announced tax increases.
In addition, the ANC supports extending the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant until 2027, with a redesign aimed at improving pathways to skills and employment.
Why it matters to you
The National Budget directly affects:
- Grant payments
- Tax brackets
- Municipal service delivery
- Infrastructure development
- Job creation programmes
If these proposals are adopted, households could see inflation-linked tax relief, continued SRD support and improved public infrastructure delivery.
However, final decisions will only be confirmed once the Minister of Finance tables the Budget in Parliament.
What you need to know
| Issue | What the ANC expects |
|---|---|
| Social spending | Over 60% of consolidated spending to support health, education and social protection |
| SRD grant | Extension until 2027 with redesign |
| Tax policy | Inflation adjustments to personal income tax brackets |
| Infrastructure | Over R1 trillion projected public infrastructure spending over three years |
| Public debt | Stabilisation of debt as percentage of GDP |
| Local government | Stricter financial compliance and new accountability models |
What you should do next
- Wait for the official Budget speech for confirmed figures
- Check SASSA platforms for SRD grant updates
- Monitor SARS announcements for tax bracket changes
- Follow municipal updates if service delivery reforms affect your area
For related coverage, visit our South African and Local Eastern Cape News sections.
Where to get help
- National Treasury website
- SASSA official channels
- SARS official website
- Your local municipality offices
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