South Africa’s constitutional framework obliges the state to take progressive measures to realise socio-economic rights, including access to housing, healthcare, education, water, and social security. While rights-compliant policies are essential, it is through the municipal, provincial and national budgeting processes that these rights are ultimately realised in practice.

At the centre of this indaba are two intersecting imperatives: pro-poor human rights budgeting and the equitable share allocation as envisaged in section 214 of the Constitution. The Commission emphasises that the national budget must not merely function as a financial instrument, but as a transformative tool to address structural inequality, improve service delivery, and promote inclusive economic growth.

The indaba will interrogate the theoretical and practical dimensions of pro-poor human rights budgeting and critically assess the effectiveness of the equitable share formula in supporting the realisation of socio-economic rights.

The dialogue aims to:

• Define and contextualise pro-poor human rights budgeting within South Africa’s legal and policy framework.
• Examine the structure and impact of the equitable share across provinces and municipalities.
• Identify barriers within current budget processes that undermine pro-poor outcomes.
• Formulate recommendations to enhance transparency, accountability, and equity in public finance governance.

The engagement will explore innovative policy options, including poverty-based empowerment models, industrial policy reforms, and income support mechanisms, while promoting data-driven decision-making and collaborative expertise across sectors.

The indaba will bring together civil society organisations, provincial and local government officials, National Treasury representatives, economists, human rights advocates, researchers, traditional leaders, and communities directly affected by poverty and marginalisation. 

The Indaba will take place as follows:

• Dates: 24 – 25 March 2026
• Times: 09h00am – 15h00 (On both days)
• Venue: Donald Gordon Auditorium, Wits School of Governance, 2 St David's Place, Parktown, Johannesburg.

Stream Link: https://www.youtube.com/@SAHRC1

By convening this dialogue, the three partners seek to ensure that South Africa’s budgeting processes give concrete effect to constitutional promises and that public resources are directed toward uplifting the most vulnerable members of society.

Pro-poor human rights budgeting is not optional; it is a constitutional and moral imperative necessary to advance dignity, equality, and social justice.

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ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION