South Africa MTBPS 2026 prioritizes GBV and early childhood development amid fiscal constraints

South Africa's 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) allocates priority to gender-based violence (GBV) and early childhood development, signaling a shift in fiscal emphasis. The commentary criticizes the Presidency's silence during the Ekurhuleni horrors, implying a disconnect between rhetoric and action. The budget's 'maximum efficiency' framing suggests tight fiscal space, with implications for social spending and governance credibility.