In this episode of The Readiness Report, Redi Tlhabi sits down with economist and director of Inani Strategies Xhanti Payi to unpack what the national budget really means for ordinary families. From food prices and interest rates to service delivery and the decision to hold back further VAT increases, the conversation cuts through the policy jargon to focus on our realities. Join the conversation, let us know what you think in the comments below!
This episode was made possible thanks to The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom: https://www.freiheit.org/sub-saharan-africa
You can listen to the Let’s Talk Human Rights podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/59LYbrnDnmsupzBh9Sb9dH?si=9ea830a251094765
And here: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/lets-talk-human-rights/id1532706038
Hosted by: Redi Tlhabi
Guest: Economist and Director of Inani Strategies Xhanti Payi
Edited by: Joel Seboa
Produced by: Emilie Gambade & Joel Seboa
Original Theme Music & Design by: Bernard Kotze
You can listen to the podcast everywhere, including Spotify!
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01:08 Budget Day Kickoff
02:35 First Take on Budget 2026
03:37 What Turning Point Means
04:55 Inflation and Credibility
06:11 Growth Outlook Reality Check
07:11 Why Growth Attracts Investment
10:22 Infrastructure and Household Impact
11:35 Tax Relief and Bracket Creep
13:49 Sin Taxes and Illicit Markets
15:35 Municipal Reform Crunch
18:06 Building Local Capacity
20:43 SOEs and Sustainability Test
25:33 Debt Costs
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