Naledi Nokukhanya Chirwa recently released a statement issuing an apology for missing parliament.

Naledi Chirwa is a feminist, legislator and one of the youngest members of parliament at just 30 years old. MP Naledi was heavily involved in and arrested during the #FEESMUSTFALL.

Why did Naledi Chirwa miss the budget speech?

 According to the public apology shared on X, MP Naledi Chirwa missed the budget meeting because her daughter was ill so she went home to be with her. She also reported that her 4-month-old baby is currently with her grandmother and Naledi is ready to be completely “engaged with organisational work during this period” 

Chirwa also assures that this absence is no reflection of her commitment to South Africa and her organisations. “I do not doubt my commitment to the movement of the South African people and the responsibility we have been entrusted with in the Parliament of South Africa” said the MP. 

Does it matter that Naledi Chirwa missed the budget speech ?

In her apology, also shared that she was reprimanded by the EFF for her absence and will be fulfilling the consequences of a public apology and the purchase of 2 gazebos before the 28th of March 2024. 

Though it is not commonly known, there are policies and established procedures regarding the attendance of parliament by MPs. Additionally,the attendance of parliament meetings by members of parliament shows a commitment to the process and a willingness to be held accountable and answer questions that may be asked of them. Members of parliament can lose their seats if they fail to attend parliament where policy states that all members should be present. 

Netizens felt Naledi Chirwa did not need to apologise for taking care of her child. Read the comments below:

@phakxx commented:

“I think the EFF has a responsibility to clarify all of us on the public apology given by Naledi Chirwa who missed the budget speech to take care of a sick child. In the absence of clarity, assumptions will be made.”

@Matome_Kay wrote:

“People are now pushing the “forced to return from maternity leave” narrative over Naledi Chirwa’s apology for failing to report or notify the organisation of her absence. Nowhere in that letter did Naledi say she was forced to cut her maternity short, she didn’t even mention it.”

What happened at 2024 budget Speech ?

On 21 February 2024, the Parliament of the South African Republic held a budget speech assembly at the Cape Town city hall. Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwa outlined the budget allocations for the upcoming year following the SONA address for 2024. President Cyril Ramaphosa discussed the government’s plans to deal with South Africa’s various economic crises. 

The minister of finance revealed during the speech that the government had aimed to reform the energy sector and make for the 2023 tax revenue loss – as the minister reports, https://dirco.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/speech-5.pdf the tax revenue for 2023 was R56.1 billion lower than anticipated due to a decline in corporate profits and revenue from tax mining. 

The intended strategy – which includes an increase in alcohol and tobacco prices among others, is expected to yield an additional R8 billion in corporate tax.