The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the appointment of former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene as Chairperson of the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC), together with Malijeng Ngqaleni as Deputy Chairperson and the other newly appointed members of the Commission.
Nene has, over many years in public life, demonstrated both his understanding of South Africa’s public finances and, importantly, his willingness to take a principled stand when confronted by political pressure.
At a time when South Africa’s public finances remain under considerable strain, institutions such as the FFC matter enormously. They provide independent, evidence-based advice and help ensure that decisions about the division and use of public money remain anchored in fiscal reality rather than political convenience.
The appointment of Malijeng Ngqaleni as Deputy Chairperson is also welcomed. Her extensive experience in intergovernmental relations, provincial and local government finance and infrastructure funding will be particularly valuable given the serious financial challenges confronting many of our municipalities and provinces.
We similarly welcome the appointments of Bulelwa Nqadolo, Adv Neo Tsholanku, Andrew Donaldson and Astrid Ludin. Collectively, the new Commission brings together substantial experience across public finance, municipal governance, regulation, law and economic policy.
The FFC occupies an important constitutional position. Its work informs Parliament, provincial legislatures and government on some of the most difficult questions around the equitable division of revenue and the sustainability of our three spheres of government.
In the Government of National Unity, rebuilding capable institutions and restoring confidence in the management of public finances must remain a shared priority. Strong institutions require people who are prepared to give government independent advice — including when that advice may be uncomfortable.
We wish Mr Nene, Ms Ngqaleni and the entire Commission well for their five-year term. They have an important job ahead of them, and we look forward to engaging robustly and constructively with their work in Parliament.
We also thank outgoing Chairperson Dr Patience Mbava for her service to the Commission and her contribution to this important constitutional institution.