Hon Chairperson, the question says: What steps is the National Treasury taking within its means to ensure the expedient realisation of the goals of the seven priority tasks regarding economic recovery as outlined by the President?
Well, first of all I do not know why the expediency, but anyway the answer to the question is as follows: The President, in his state of the nation address, in June 2019, outlined seven priorities for the sixth administration. This included: one, economic transformation and job creation; two, education skills and health; three, consolidating the social wage through reliable and quality basic services; four, spatial integration, human settlements and local government; five, is social cohesion and safe communities; six, a capable ethical and developmental state; and seven, a better Africa and a better world.
Now, the National Treasury's mandate is to provide funding for policy decisions in government within the context of its decisions, within its constraints and within the fiscal envelope. Therefore this overarching mandate, which covers these seven areas, has to be provided for in the budget. These initiatives are clearly spelled out in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework.
I would like to request hon members to bear with me, not to pre-empt the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement in
terms of what would be delivered next week. Most of the details requested here would be outlined there. Thank you very much. [Applause.]