Madam Deputy Speaker, in his state of the nation address the hon President said that the vulnerable and the poor should be given preference. In view of the global economic turmoil and domestic challenges, the MF will be watching whether all of the Budget's reforms reach the man in the street and the matriculants who did not get access to universities because of budget constraints, and whether it deals precisely with high food costs and the devastating impact on the poor, particularly the pensioners.
The key is job creation. Minister Gordhan is correct that in order to achieve the target of 5 million jobs, we must have a growth rate of 7,5%. Currently we are just on half. We must be reminded that the United States has come out of a recession through the creation of small, medium and micro enterprises, SMMEs, and the informal sector. Therefore more funding must be directed towards this area, to vulnerable groups and, particularly, to minority communities.
The high fuel cost will serve as a negative impediment in the advancement of our economy.
We welcome the infrastructure programme but cherish the hope that it does not open up gaps for corruption. The MF will support the report.