Economy tops agenda
CALL FOR RADICAL CHANGE TO OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE State of the Nation address should focus on ‘control of economy in favour of all South Africans’, says ANC.
The African National Congress (ANC) yesterday urged government to use the State of the Nation Address (Sona) to be delivered by President Jacob Zuma on Thursday to “give expression to the 12 urgent tasks of the movement” in respect of economic transformation.
The Sona was used by government to “report on the state of our country, progress we are making in realising our vision of a national democratic society, and the key actions required to move us closer and faster to the ultimate objective of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous society,” said ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa.
“As per ANC NEC [national executive committee] lekgotla, radical economic transformation refers to a fundamental change in the structure, systems, institutions and patterns of ownership and control of the economy in favour of all South Africans, especially the poor, the majority of whom are African and female.
“Our main objective remains the liberation of blacks in general and Africans in particular. Its components include the creation of jobs, accelerating shared and inclusive growth, transforming the structure of production and ownership of means of production, and enabling the talents and productive potential of our people to flourish,” he said. – ANA
Return the land to the people using Constitutional means;
Invest money in township and rural communities and ensure building of post-apartheid cities in rural areas and vibrant businesses in the townships;
No less than 30% of all government spending must go to black businesses and small, medium, and micro enterprises;
Massive roll-out of broadband infrastructure, ensuring connectivity of schools, hospitals, police stations and other public spaces;
Implement the Maputo Declaration and ensure 10% of GDP goes to agricultural development;
Turn SA into a construction site, deliver water, sanitation, roads, electricity and houses;
Diversify ownership in the