As Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg is expected to deliver the 2026/2027 National Budget Speech today, Members of Parliament (MPs) say they are hoping for a different approach, pointing to critical issues they believe must be prioritised.
Following His Majesty King Mswati III’s directive in Parliament when opening the Third Session of the 12th Parliament, legislators said they expect Rijkenberg’s allocations to align with the King’s priorities.
Among the key issues highlighted by the King were:
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Ending drug shortages in health facilities
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Construction of 500km of roads
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Increased funding for mass vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)
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Payment of outstanding salary reviews for civil servants
Looking Back: 2025/2026 Allocations
Last year, Rijkenberg delivered a E32.6 billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.
From that allocation:
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Government spent approximately E873.33 million monthly on salaries for 43 959 civil servants.
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E702.32 million was allocated for scholarships.
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Elderly grants received an additional E105 million, representing a 20% increase.
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Elderly beneficiaries received an additional E100 on top of their E500 monthly grant.
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E1.21 billion went to road rehabilitation.
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The Ministry of Education received the largest share at E5.41 billion.
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The health sector was allocated E3.10 billion, reflecting a continued focus on addressing health system challenges and procuring medication.
Mayiwane MP Sicelo Dlamini said legislators were hoping to see increased funding for infrastructure development, particularly feeder roads.
He said MPs would closely monitor allocations to ensure implementation, especially on outstanding salary reviews that were not fully paid last year.
“We expect the budget to accommodate these matters. On health, we want things to happen now so that the issues in that sector are already resolved. We also hope the budget will address youth unemployment,” he said.
Dvokodvweni MP Sifiso Shabalala said he was hopeful that more funds would be directed toward combating FMD to enable farmers to move livestock and access international markets.
He said the King had stressed food security in the Speech from the Throne, warning that FMD threatens livestock movement and food supply.
Shabalala further expressed hope that:
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Investors would explore mining opportunities to boost the economy.
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Youth employment policies would be strengthened.
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Medication shortages would be addressed in line with the King’s directive.
Hope for Elderly Grants Increase
Nkhaba MP Hope Shiba said, as the King challenged government to take care of the elderly, he hoped grants would increase again this year.
Shiba also called for:
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Increased funding to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
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More resources for persons with disabilities.
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Additional funding for the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).
He noted that heavy rainfall followed by excessive sunshine had affected fields, raising concerns about potential hunger in the country.
Shiba said he hoped the Ministry of Health would receive more funding to end drug shortages, as directed by the King.
He also emphasised the need for additional funding for Public Works and Transport to rehabilitate feeder and main roads.
“There are communities that have been cut off. I hope Microprojects will also receive funds to continue grading roads,” he said.
Shiba added that government should attract mining investors so that mineral resources could boost economic growth and expand the national budget.
