Pretoria - South Africa's business and labour sectors are looking forward to President Jacob Zuma's third State of the Nation Address, tomorrow evening, hoping job creation will be placed on top of government's agenda.
Speaking ahead of the address, economist Chris Hart said job creation and poverty reduction should be at the forefront of the President's address.
"From an economist's point of view, if we are serious about poverty and unemployment, we should place resources to the investment side of the economy instead of shifting resources to consumption. We need investment; consumption spending does not reduce poverty. We also need to do something about taxes and investments," Hart said on Wednesday.
Statistics South Africa yesterday released the results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the fourth quarter of 2010, which showed that employment increased by 1.2 percent from 25.3 percent in the third quarter.
Hart said the economy was on the mend, however, more jobs need to be created.
President Zuma, who was expected to spend the day resting and putting the final touches to his address, is expected to focus on economic transformation and basic service delivery. Government's five priorities of health, fighting crime, education, jobs and rural development are expected to feature strongly in the President's address.
One of the top things on trade federation Cosatu's wish list is a concrete plan to address job creation. The federation has welcomed the publication of the New Growth Path. Cosatu is also hoping to hear how government will ensure decent work and the introduction of laws to regulate contract work.
On education, Cosatu said the public education system was still facing problems with underfunded and understaffed schools, while also calling for the construction of universities in the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga, which will contribute to job creation.
Hart said although there were success stories in education, the challenge lay in the management of schools. "It is not a resource issue but that of management."
Meanwhile, the Independent Democrats (ID) expects the President to clarify what aspects of the growth path will be implemented. "The President must give the nation an inspiring vision, with practical actions that will be taken to ensure that the three most pressing issues are addressed simultaneously; namely poverty, unemployment and inequality," ID parliamentary leader Joe McGluwa said.
The party was also keen on knowing how government intends to tackle corruption in both the public and private sectors, and broader environmental issues.
"The ID expects the President to commit to ambitious targets for renewable energy generation so as to place South Africa in a leadership position as hosts of the Climate Change COP-17 at the end of the year," said the ID of the all-important meeting, which will be held in Durban.
Tim Harris, shadow minister of trade and industry of the Democratic Alliance, said Zuma should address "broad and deep reforms" of the labour market, while also announcing drastic reform of wage bargaining arrangements.
"This should include repeal of the one-size-fits-all extension of wages that forces small businesses to comply with conditions negotiated by large firms in their sector," said Harris.
The party also called on the President to request Parliament to undertake an urgent review of the existing labour laws to relieve small businesses from their more onerous provisions. "The provisions relating to employment in the Basic Condition of Employment Act should be relaxed for small businesses with fewer than 50 workers."
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said it was looking forward to clarity on policy direction and implementation of government's programmes to support and develop SMMEs.
The creation of a nurturing business environment and new strategies to address corruption, and measures to reduce red tape for business are also some of the matters industry is looking forward to hearing more on.
The SONA will be delivered to both the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in Parliament at 7pm.
