By 
The Free State MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Mr Ketso Makume, has tabled his financial year budget that carried a 1.6% increase compared to the previous fiscal year on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, in Bloemfontein. He presented a total budget of R47.9 billion for 2026/27.
Government spending is vital for local economic growth, job creation, the reduction of poverty and creating a province that is competent to compete even in global markets, which are some of the key aspects the budget is focused on.
The MEC said the budget includes equitable share of R36.7 billion, conditional grants of R9.8 billion and provincial own revenue of R1.2 billion. Makume said equitable share allocation constitutes 76.7 percent of the total allocation, whilst conditional grants and provincial own revenue account for 20.6 percent and 2.7 percent respectively.
MEC Ketso Makume tabled the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for the current year with outer years; these carry a budget of R49.5 billion in 2027/28 and R51.0 billion in 2028/29. He said the province will spend an estimated amount of R148.5 billion over the 2026 MTEF ahead.
“The 2026 MTEF allocation to the province came with budget cuts occasioned by updates to the provincial equitable share formula and inflation adjustments. Specifically, the formular updates resulted in the reduction of R332.6 million over the MTEF period, whilst the inflation adjustments reduced the provincial equitable share by R297.1 million.
However, Hon. Speaker, we have received additional allocations totalling R1.7 billion which are earmarked for frontline services. I will provide details of these allocations when we deal with allocations to various departments,” said MEC Makume.
The MEC allocated funds for the departments as follows:
Department of Education
The department is allocated just over R20 billion in 2026/27, R21 billion in 2027/28 and R21.7 billion in 2028/29. In total the department is estimated to spend R62.8 billion over the 2026 MTEF period.
Department of Health
The department is allocated R15 billion in 2026/27, R15.6 billion in 2027/28 and R16.1 billion in 2028/29. In total the department is estimated to spend R46.9 billion over the 2026 MTEF period.
Department of Social Development
The department is allocated more than R1.4 billion in 2026/27, R1.4 billion in 2027/28 and R1.5 billion in 2028/29. In total the department is estimated to spend R4.4 billion over the 2026 MTEF period. Included in the 2026/27 financial year allocation is an amount of R6.2 million earmarked for Expanded Public Works Programme.
Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation
The department is allocated R685.3 million in 2026/27, R708.2 million in 2027/28 and R725.5 million in 2028/29. In total the department is estimated to spend R2.1 billion over the 2026 MTEF period. The conditional grants allocation for the 2026/27 financial year, which is already included in the total allocation, amounts to R240.6 million.
Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
Public Works and Infrastructure is allocated just above R2.3 billion in 2026/27, R2.4 billion in 2027/28 and R2.5 billion in 2028/29. In total the department is estimated to spend more than R7.3 billion over the 2026 MTEF period. Included in the 2026/27 financial year allocation is an amount of R5.3 million earmarked for Expanded Public Works Programme.
Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport
The department will receive R3.5 billion in 2026/27, R3.3 billion in 2027/28 and R3.3 billion in 2028/29. In total the department is estimated to spend more than R10.2 billion over the 2026 MTEF period. Conditional grants allocation for 2026/27 financial year, which are already included in the allocation, amounts to more than R2.1 billion.
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs
The department will receive R1 billion in 2026/27, R1.1 billion in 2027/28 and R1.1 billion in 2028/29. In total the department is estimated to spend more than R3.3 billion over the 2026 MTEF period. Conditional grants allocation for 2026/27 financial year, which are already included in the allocation, amounts to R286.3 million.
Department of Human Settlements
The department is allocated R1.1 billion in 2026/27, R1.2 billion in 2027/28 and R1.2 billion in 2028/29. In total the department is estimated to spend more than R3.6 billion over the 2026 MTEF period. Conditional grants allocation for 2026/27 financial year, which are already included in the allocation, amounts to R892.5 million.
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
The department is allocated R533.3 million in 2026/27, R542.8 million in 2027/28, and R550.1 million in 2028/29. Over the 2026 MTEF period, the department is estimated to spend more than R1.6 billion.
Makume said it is important to note that these allocations reflect a substantial decrease of R183.8 million in 2026/27, R196.4 million in 2027/28, and R203.4 million in 2028/29. This reduction is due to the shift of the Environmental Affairs Programme to the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs.
Office of the Premier
The department is allocated R658.3 million in 2026/27, R656.2 million in 2027/28 and R655.5 million in 2028/29. In total the Office of the Premier is estimated to spend above R1.9 billion over the 2026 MTEF period. The allocation includes R10.064 million for implementation of the Early Retirement and Voluntary Exit Programme as approved by the National Treasury.
Provincial Treasury
Provincial Treasury is allocated R403.9 million in 2026/27, R411.7 million in 2027/28 and R421.4 million in 2028/29. In total the department is estimated to spend more than R1.2 billion over the 2026 MTEF period. The allocation provides for State Information Technology Agency costs, Operation Clean Audit programme, municipal support programme and strengthening of oversight role.
Free State Legislature
The Provincial Legislature is allocated R339.0 million in 2026/27, R380.9 million in 2027/28 and R408.4 million in 2028/29. In total the Provincial Legislature is estimated to spend above R1.1 billion over the 2026 MTEF period. The allocation for provides for public participation, constituency allowances and Political Party Funding.
