Budget Day 2009: Investing in our Youth

Good Hope FM DJ, Nigel Pierce, interviews the previous MEC for Finance, Economic Developmet and Tourism, Mr Garth Strachan at the Budget Day event.

The theme for the 2009 Budget Day awareness campaign was "Investing in the Youth, Investing in the future". The event took place at the Nedbank, V & A Waterfront Clocktower Precinct on 19 February 2009

The Budget Educational Live Broadcast was a joint initiative of the Provincial Treasury, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), Nedbank and Good Hope FM. This awareness campaign was aimed at educating and encouraging the youth to take an interest in the governance and budgeting processes. The scarcity of skills in the Finance and Economics sector is a worrying issue and learners were therefore invited to explore the idea of pursuing a career in these fields.

A total of 24 schools were identified from poorer communities where matriculants had achieved an average pass rate of 80% or higher for their final examinations, despite adverse conditions. In the Cape Metropole, Grade 10 to 12 learners from 6 secondary schools and 1 special needs school were invited to attend the event. These schools included The Athlone School for the Blind and the Uitsig, Sophumelela, Sizimisele, Masibambane, Hector Pieterson and Masiphumelele secondary schools.

Good Hope FM and The Nigel Pierce show broadcasted live from the Nedbank Clocktower and the learners had the opportunity to view Nigel in action as he interviewed the various dignitaries about the Budget Day event.

After a practical presentation on the provincial budgeting process, choices and goals, learners had the opportunity to engage with representatives from the Provincial Treasury and the WCED on budgeting issues and how it affects their communities.

Head of the Provincial Treasury, Dr JC Stegmann, emphasised the importance of making the correct choices and how these choices can affect the future.

"Economics and budgeting happen to be all about choices, and making the right choices," he said

"You all have a brain and a body that you can use, and this day is to some extent, to stimulate you (the learners) to use what you have, better."

Each learner received a special gift pack which included a calculator, a flash drive, a soccer ball and stationery. R6000 was donated to each school participating in the Budget Day awareness campaign.

Budget Day 2009 Pictures