Durban - Commerce students and academics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal met with KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance, Ina Cronje, to talk about the 2011/12 provincial budget.
They are the first group of people that Cronje engaged with ahead of her provincial budget, which will be tabled on 4 March.
The group in Pietermaritzburg had an opportunity to give their views on where the provincial government should spend money. They also raised their concerns about government spending and service delivery.
Thursday's meeting was the first step in a campaign that includes a series of pre-budget road shows around the province. The idea of the campaign, according to the Provincial Treasury, is to give the public an opportunity to send their tips to Cronje and her team, and encourage citizens to become more active in government programmes.
Cronje took the time to explain the budget processes and priorities. "We consider national government priorities which are health, education and creating decent jobs, to mention a few. All government departments will be required to put appropriate programmes in place and establish the right environment for creation of many decent and sustainable jobs in every way possible."
The MEC told the hall packed of students and lecturers that the government's provincial budget is there to translate government's priorities into programmes.
"Therefore, it is important that we come to the public to scrutinise the budget so that it can hold the government accountable, it can serve as advocacy for policy changes, ensuring transparency, and to give a sense of security and stability of governance over a three-year period," said Cronje.
One student wanted to know why the province was sending back money to national government, despite service delivery remaining a major issue in some parts of the province.
Provincial Head of the Treasury, Smiso Magagula's response was: "We are working on a plan to ensure that all planned projects are delivered on time and on budget, and the MEC for Finance will give more details on this matter when tabling the [provincial] budget speech in March."
