Government has been pumping billions of rands into poorly performing state owned companies, SOCs, and this has resulted in a widening budget deficit of 5,9% of GDP. The national debt as other speakers have indicated is greatly concerning, at present R3 trillion set to increase by 50% to R4,5 trillion in the medium-term. This results in higher debt service cost which in turn in turn crowds out much needed social spending on health and education and security.