President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that the parties in the Government of National Unity have committed to putting the wishes of the citizens first and driving the country forward with “great urgency” to grow an economy for all.
The President was delivering the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) to a joint sitting of the newly constituted two Houses of Parliament on Thursday evening.
Reflecting on the last 50 days in South Africa – in which South Africans braved weather and circumstance to take to the polls – President Ramaphosa told the two Houses of Parliament that South Africans have, through the ballot, unequivocally made their voices heard.
“Through their votes, they determined that the leaders of our country should set aside their political differences and come together as one to overcome the severe challenges that confront our nation.
“They sent a clear message that without unity, cooperation and partnership, our efforts to end poverty, unemployment and inequality will not succeed. Guided by this directive from the people, political parties from across the political spectrum have elected to establish a Government of National Unity [GNU].
“In an act that is unprecedented in our democratic history, ten political parties represented here in our Parliament have agreed to craft a common programme to build a better, more equal and more just South Africa. They have come together, despite their differences, because they share a commitment to a nation that is united, prosperous and inclusive,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President explained that through the Statement of Intent signed by all the political parties, a commitment has been made to “respect the Constitution and the rule of law and to promote accountability, transparency, integrity and good governance”.
Furthermore, the work of the Government of National Unity will be guided by an agreed upon Minimum Programme.
“The priority actions that arise from this minimum programme received the full support of the recent Cabinet Lekgotla, which brought together newly-appointed Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Premiers. Local government representatives, directors-general and other key officials were also in attendance.
“Cabinet will be convening a further strategy session to consider the Medium-Term Development Plan, which will translate these priorities into a detailed plan and interventions that government will implement over the next five years.
“The Medium-Term Development Plan will set out a well-defined vision and strategic plan that outlines clear goals and includes specific, measurable objectives and a roadmap for achieving them. These goals will be properly aligned with the Budget, which will support the implementation of these objectives,” he said.
An economy that grows for all
A key priority outlined by President Ramaphosa is the need to determinedly grow a South African economy that is inclusive and leaves no-one behind.
“The circumstances of the South African people today require that we act together as the Government of National Unity and all key role players in our country with great urgency, boldly and decisively,” President Ramaphosa said.
On this front, the President said economic growth will be “at the centre of the work of the Government of National Unity and at the top of the national agenda”.
“The Government of National Unity will pursue every action that contributes to sustainable, rapid economic growth and remove every obstacle that stands in the way of growth.
“We are determined that growth must be inclusive. It must be transformational. Inclusive growth must drive the redistribution of wealth and opportunity. It must support the empowerment of black South Africans and women, and all those who in the past had been relegated to the fringes of the economy.
“This is part of the constitutional imperative to redress the imbalances of the past and deal with the slow process of development,” he said.
The President insisted that in order for inclusive growth to occur, women and youth must take and be affirmed of their place in the economy.
Furthermore, the barriers to the full participation of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups to also participate in the economy must be dismantled.
Those living in South Africa’s rural areas will also not be forgotten.
“We will support the growth of rural enterprises and invest in public infrastructure in under-serviced areas.
“We will increase funding to land reform, prioritise the transfer of state land and improve post-settlement support by strengthening the institutional capacity of responsible structures,” he said.
President Ramaphosa highlighted that pursuing policies of empowerment and transformation for groups previously left out of the economy will create an environment where “the skills, capabilities, resources and energies of all South Africans are used to the greatest effect”.
“We will continue to pursue programmes that encourage broad-based black economic empowerment, employment equity and support to small- and medium-sized enterprises.
“We will continue to protect and uphold the hard-won rights of workers, and continually strive to improve the conditions in which they work and live,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
