While Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana continued the strict fiscal stance of his predecessor, Tito Mboweni, there was at least one noticeable difference when he tabled his medium-term budget policy statement on Thursday: he mingled.
Where Mboweni typically left Parliament right after delivering his budget, Godongwana cut an unusual figure as he walked about with Members of Parliament, heads of National Treasury entities and reporters, rubbing shoulders and answering additional questions.
This accessibility and willingness to engage could earn Godongwana some goodwill, which he will need in coming months, as he looks set to face challenges to Treasury’s refusal to increase government spending.
