SAfrican govt tightens belts

CAPE TOWN: Tea, water and biscuits are on South Africa's recession menu to replace lavish meals at some government meetings as the belt is tightened on public spending, a spokesman said on Thursday.

Tea being served. Tea, water and biscuits are on South Africa's recession menu to replace lavish meals at some government meetings as the belt is tightened on public spending, a spokesman said on Thursday. [Agencies]

"Budgets that are spent on meals or food in departments, travelling, are being slashed as we speak," Themba Maseko told journalists while outlining plans in tough financial conditions.

The food budget in the state's communication department, where Maseko is based, was slashed by over 80 percent to avoid having to provide meals.

"So that if there is anything you provide it will just be tea and water and some biscuits as you?ll see outside here," he said.

South Africa entered its first recession in 17 years, with the economy shrinking 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2009, the second contraction in a row.

Maseko said government was getting the message "clear and loud" and ministers were leading the way in demonstrating how expenditures will be cut.

The measures include holding meetings outside of lunch hours, restricting invitations to meetings, and curbing travel.

"One of the decisions, for instance, discussed at the cabinet meeting yesterday was that for international conferences the practise of hundreds of government officials attending UN meetings and sessions will come to an end."

Deputy directors in one department were "very upset" after being left off the invitation list for a meeting after it was decided only directors and the chief director would attend, he said.

"You have to accommodate and feed those people," said Maseko.