By Emily Setona
BLOEMFONTEIN – Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has called for the provincial budget to be tightly aligned with the needs and material conditions of residents, warning that any disconnect between plans and financial allocations will result in failure.
Speaking during the opening of the Free State Provincial Government Planning and Budget Lekgotla, held at Imvelo Safari Lodge on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, Letsoha-Mathae said the budget must serve as an instrument to improve people’s lives through effective service delivery, economic development, and job creation.
“When the budget does not speak to plans, failure is inevitable,” she said, underscoring the importance of quality deliberations and decisive implementation.
The Lekgotla brought together all provincial departments and entities to deliberate on how resources should be deployed to realise the 7th Administration’s three strategic pillars: driving inclusive growth and job creation, building a capable and ethical state, and reducing poverty while addressing the cost of living.
Acting Director-General Dr Molefinyana Phera framed the discussions within the current economic and governance challenges, saying:
“We must learn to lead and succeed when the conditions for leadership are dwindling — even when budgets and public goodwill are not favourable, and customer satisfaction is at its lowest.”
The gathering also ensured alignment of departmental plans with the State of the Province Address (SOPA), the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), the Medium-Term Operational Plan (MTOP), and the Free State Growth and Development Strategy (FSGDS).
Call for Accountability and Fiscal PrudenceMEC for Finance, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA), Ketso ‘Toto’ Makume, stressed the need to rebuild public trust in government through tangible progress on stalled infrastructure and development projects.
“We are not out of fiscal constraints,” he cautioned.
“We must ensure that budgets are used effectively and efficiently to address developmental programmes. We must institutionalise a culture of accountability within our departments and entities.”
Makume added that while no budget cuts are expected, departments must continue to exercise prudence to ensure that available resources are optimally used to improve service delivery.
Premier Letsoha-Mathae reiterated her firm stance on accountability, saying her administration would not tolerate non-performance.
“My office is not an interfering one, but non-performance is a clarion call to action, and it will not be ignored,” she said.
“We need to clearly define each department’s role and contribution to our economic development and job creation efforts.”
With local government elections approaching, the Premier emphasized the urgency of improving service delivery performance.
“We must spare neither strength nor courage in our mission to deliver a local government that works — one that is responsive, effective, and committed to transforming the daily lived struggles of our people,” she said.
Inclusive Engagement with Senior Management
The Lekgotla concluded with a reflective and participatory session led by the Premier, engaging senior management service (SMS) members and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) from across departments.
“EXCO cannot talk and counsel itself,” Letsoha-Mathae told attendees. “The reason we have invited all of you here, senior management, is to hear your expert views so that you strengthen the budget planning process.”
The session provided a platform for open dialogue and allowed departments to highlight internal challenges that could hinder service delivery.
In her closing remarks, the Premier urged departmental leaders to hold regular meetings, strengthen financial oversight, and ensure accountability in the implementation of projects. She also called for the blacklisting of contractors who fail to complete projects or deliver substandard work.
“We must preserve the integrity of the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and ensure value for money in every project we undertake,” she said.
The 2025 Planning and Budget Lekgotla concluded with a renewed commitment to ensure that the provincial budget is not merely a financial statement, but a living instrument to transform the lives of Free State residents.
