Time for renewal

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation address represented a profound turning point from what was a declining national narrative. For the first time in 10 years the president understands the meaning of what he is reading and is sincere about its outcomes.

Being able to address the nation’s concerns with such accuracy, empathy and clarity sends a credible and believable message to the people.

We welcome the jobs, youth and NGO summits the president proposed. They are – along with the national minimum wage and free higher education – aligned initiatives to combat unemployment and grow the economy, by bringing more people into it.

Stabilising our emerging leaders through the phased-in free education and minimum wage initiatives, and improving the government’s service delivery are critical outcomes for the plans that will emerge from the summits.

The initiatives provide us with an opportunity to bring innovative ideas to especially the third sector and thus provide leadership with transformative development initiatives.

NGOs have vast experience, intelligence and agility to work alongside the government to accelerate the reduction of poverty and increase sustainable livelihoods. The narrative must foster a missional partnership between the non-profit sector and the government.

Now is the time for a united, people-facing and industrious effort by the government, business, labour and the non-profit-sector to work side by side to provide our citizens with the quality of life the constitution holds forth for them. Anything less would be a betrayal of the hope which the president’s speech offered. It presented South Africans with a much-needed begin-again moment. We will build on this momentum to serve citizens with the dignity they deserve.

But let’s be clear: an anguished nation has heeded the call to be “sent”; there is no room for false starts and delayed promises.

LORENZO DAVIDS Chief executive: Community Chest