The government’s latest adjustment budget fails to address the dire needs of public healthcare and education systems, according to rights organisation SECTION27.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tabled the adjustment budget amid concerns that public services and constitutionally guaranteed rights face serious threats from global and domestic economic pressures.

The organisation says hospitals, clinics and schools need more staff, critical equipment and infrastructure upgrades, but the budget offers little meaningful change for people who rely on these services.

Funds shifted, not added

SECTION27 notes the reprioritisation of R38.1 billion through the Targeted and Responsible Savings Programme (TARS). However, the organisation points out this does not inject new money into state coffers but rather shifts existing funds.

“Framing it as a net gain to the budgets of important services fails to recognise that the country needs additional investment in social services, rather than shifting funds around,” the organisation says.

The group welcomes that the money stays within social services, showing TARS has not defunded essential public services this time.

Education faces cuts

Basic education will see a net cut of R309 million. The department currently struggles with overcrowded classrooms, unplaced learners, staffing inefficiencies and unequal service delivery.

SECTION27 says government missed an opportunity to increase basic education spending despite higher than anticipated revenue. The organisation stresses that building and maintaining schools should remain a core budget priority, especially when more fiscal space exists.

Climate resilience gains support

The organisation welcomes the government’s acknowledgement of climate resilience, particularly given the anticipated impacts of El Niño this year. Poor and rural communities face the greatest disruption from drought, floods and other climate events.

SECTION27 supports plans to embed climate-resilient design into social infrastructure planning. The group also welcomes money earmarked in the contingency reserve for El Niño response.

The organisation calls on government to ensure these funds address impacts on health and education, not just economic activities. It wants emergency response funding to include adequate training for frontline staff, warning messages in local languages and targeted interventions for vulnerable groups including pregnant women, newborn babies, elderly people and those on chronic medication.

However, SECTION27 warns earmarked funds likely fall short of tackling the overall impact of climate change. The group calls for continued international engagement to sustain climate-related financing.

Healthcare infrastructure improvements

SECTION27 welcomes the inclusion of three hospital replacements and constructions in Mpumalanga and Limpopo in the second cycle of funding within the Budget Facility for Infrastructure.

The organisation expects these projects to proceed without delay to meet the need for modern, fit-for-purpose healthcare facilities. However, it says government must do more to increase healthcare system capacity, including building more facilities and hiring additional frontline workers.

The group supports the inclusion of the Health Facility Revitalisation Grant in new infrastructure grant reforms. The grant has historically underperformed, contributing to inadequate healthcare infrastructure and delivery backlogs.

Call for bold action

SECTION27 says solving South Africa’s socioeconomic crises needs bold, proactive action.

“Price stability and responsible budgeting matter, but not at the cost of the state’s ability to deliver basic rights,” the organisation states.

The group calls on government to ensure essential public services in basic education and healthcare expand in reach and quality, and remain protected from deterioration, in line with constitutional obligations.

• SECTION27 is a human rights organisation that seeks to achieve substantive equality and social justice in South Africa. Guided by the principles and values in the Constitution, SECTION27 uses law, advocacy, legal literacy, research and community mobilisation to advance socio-economic rights, in particular the right to access health care services and the right to basic education as guaranteed in section 27 and section 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa respectively.

ALSO READ: Mental health foundation eviction raises fears of another Life Esidimeni