Inspiring hope and confidence
correctly, our response may well be ill-considered and misdirected,” the President said.
Government’s collective actions in response to the pandemic, all noted in the SONA, saved tens of thousands of lives and kept millions of people out of dire poverty.
The President’s focus on job creation, outlined in SONA, gave rise to a debate on the state’s and private sector’s roles in fostering economic growth and creating employment.
“Some speakers have taken a crude and selfserving approach to a complex issue, but for the most part, commentators have engaged meaningfully with one of the most important questions facing our country today. They have earnestly sought to answer the central question of who will create the jobs for the 11 million unemployed people in South Africa,” the President said.
He explained that while the private sector creates the most jobs, the state has a clear role to play through state-owned enterprises, public employment programmes, industrial policy, competition policy, infrastructure investment and the employment of the public service itself.
“We envisage both a capable, developmental state and a dynamic and agile private sector, which work together and complement each other.”
President Ramaphosa said that while most Members of the Houses of Parliament are firmly committed to building a united, equal and prosperous nation, others have different interests and priorities. He emphasised, however, that while they preach despair and create doubt, government sees hope and renewed confidence.
Hope is seen in the new work and livelihood opportunities created by the Presidential Employment Stimulus that will soon reach over a million people.
He said the bridges being built to get children to school safely; and the sector master plans driving new investment which creates new jobs and the revival of key industries.
“That is what progress looks like.”
Renewed confidence is seen in the most significant reform in SA’s energy system in nearly a century; the long-delayed reforms – like the spectrum auction and the revised critical skills list – that are being implemented; and concrete steps being taken to modernise ports and rail infrastructure.
Unifying SA
President Ramaphosa spoke in-depth about government’s commitment to South Africa and unifying her people, both evident in the strides it has made to fight corruption; create conditions conducive to growing business and ensuring job creation; uplifting women, youth and persons with disabilities; and protecting women.
“Our commitment to the transformation of the economy, so it benefits all South Africa’s people, is unwavering. We have a manifesto – for which the people of this country demonstrated overwhelming support – that is a bold and coherent plan to achieve a better life for all,” the President said.