Image: courtesy of FF Plus The Free State's budget for the 2026/27 financial year clearly shows that government’s first priority is not developing the province, but keeping the public service afloat. An eye-watering 65% of the provincial budget goes to salaries, while the sectors that truly drive economic growth are neglected. Agriculture – central to food security and job creation – receives only 2,3% of the budget, with a meagre R5 million earmarked for the foot-and-mouth d
