The Free State MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Ketso ‘Toto’ Makume tabled the 2026 Provincial Budget Speech in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 17 March. The provincial budget is R47,9 Billion that was allocated to the Free State.
MEC Toto delivered a R47.9 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, representing an increase of 1.6% compared to the previous financial year’s allocation.
The province recommitted to strengthening financial discipline and restoring confidence in public financial management.
MEC Makume asserted that budget spending must be firmly aligned with and guided by the 2024–2029 Medium Term Development Plan key priorities: inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
2026/27 Departmental Allocations are as follows:
• Department of Education is allocated just over R20 billion.
• Department of Health is allocated R15 billion.
• Department of Social Development is allocated more than R1.4 billion.
• Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation is allocated R685.3 million.
• Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is allocated just above R2.3 billion.
• Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport will receive R3.5 billion.
• Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs will receive R1 billion.
• Department of Human Settlements is allocated R1.1 billion.
• Department of Economic Development and Tourism is allocated R533.3 million.
• Office of the Premier is allocated R658.3 million in 2026/27 and R656.2 million in the outer year.
• Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is allocated R483.5 million.
• Provincial Treasury is allocated R403.9 million in 2026/27 and R411.7 million in the outer year.
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