In conversation with Fasiha Hassan- ANCL National spokesperson

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) urges the Minister of Finance to prioritize the needs of young people, the working class, and the poor in the 2025 Budget. They oppose the proposed 2% VAT increase, arguing it would worsen the cost-of-living crisis for low-income households. Instead, they call for progressive taxation on high-income earners and corporations. The ANCYL advocates for large-scale job creation, youth employment programs, and state-led industrial development to offer sustainable opportunities. They also emphasize the need for increased investment in education, healthcare recruitment, and higher education funding, especially for students in the "missing middle." Strengthening TVET colleges, promoting artisan training, and revitalizing township and rural economies through targeted grants and infrastructure development are also key priorities. The ANCYL is committed to an inclusive economic agenda for young South Africans.