Radical economic change needed
President Jacob Zuma’s address focused on creating more jobs
INTERVENTIONS to spur growth and re-invigorate the economy so that much-needed jobs are created were central to the State of the Nation address last night. President Jacob Zuma’s address to the nation focused largely on the pace of transformation, the economy and improving service delivery.
The president said transformation in the workplace had been too slow, adding it was time for black people to begin owning and playing a meaningful role in the country’s big industries instead of benefiting from empowerment schemes.
“Radical economic transformation should move beyond share economic schemes only.
“We would like to see black people involved directly in business, owning factories. The development of the Black Industrialists programme is thus critical.”
A process to amend the Competition Act is set to start this year, so the government can deal with market concentration, which is crowding out small businesses, Zuma said.
“Two key challenges we face is the high levels of concentration in the economy, as well as the collusion and cartels, which squeeze out small players and hamper the entry of young entrepreneurs and black industrialists.
“Our labour market environment is also showing signs of stability, due to co-operation by social partners.
“The manner in which parties conducted and carried themselves during the wage negotiations in the platinum sector in particular, must be applauded.”
The president congratulated his deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, who had this week been able to clinch the R20 per hour national minimum wage deal, which would come into effect in May 2018.
“Twenty-two years into our freedom and democracy, the majority of black people are still economically dis-empowered.
“They are dissatisfied with the economic gains from liberation.”
He added that the government runs “effective” poverty alleviation programmes such as the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). He said the state was also assisting the poor in the form of social grants, which have now reached close to 17 million recipients, mainly older people and children.
“Many families would not be able to put food on the table if it were not for social grants.”
Zuma also paid tribute to former ANC president Oliver Tambo, who would have turned 100 this year.
“This selfless patriot (spent) his adult life (in) tireless pursuit of the liberation of our country and its people. He left a lasting legacy for all South Africans and not only for his organisation, the ANC.
“In his honour, we have declared the year 2017, the year of Oliver Reginald Tambo.
“It is the year of unity in action by all South Africans as we move South Africa forward together.”