Budget Speech 2023

To fast-track the implementation of these reforms, we initiated Operation Vulindlela, a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms by fostering collaboration and coordination across Government, just over two years ago.

Since its inception, Operation Vulindlela has made progress in fast-tracking reforms in the priority areas of electricity, water, telecommunications, transport and immigration.

In water, the backlog of water license applications has been cleared, and new licenses are now being issued within 90 days.

Later this year we will table a law to establish an infrastructure agency to leverage the assets in the water sector for increased investment in water resource infrastructure.

In digital telecommunications, we will soon switch-off the analogue signal and finalise the migration to digital signal. This will unlock the benefits of the spectrum auction and unleash renewed investment in the sector.

We are introducing new regulations to enable the accelerated rollout of telecommunications infrastructure.

We are clearing the backlog in work visa applications and are implementing the recommendations of the skilled immigration review.

Despite these gains, the challenges in electricity and logistics threaten to undermine the reform agenda.