Political parties on Tuesday congratulated Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on a positive budget and said he passed his first test.

South Africa will keep spending to steer its way through a global downturn and its first recession in nearly two decades.

The creation of a bigger Cabinet and presidency will cost the country more than half a billion rand in ”unforeseeable” expenses this year.

South Africa’s inflation target remains in place but the government and central bank would soon start talks on the best way to manage prices.

As unemployment and poverty rise, Treasury says creating jobs and safeguarding social security are among its key spending priorities.

The DA and Cope on Monday called on Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan to show he is firmly in control of macroeconomic policy.