Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says his new administration is set to implement policies that will change the lives of South Africans, with economic transformation to take centre stage.
In his inauguration speech, President Zuma told the nation that economic transformation will take centre-stage during this new term of government as the country puts the economy on an inclusive growth path.
The country has being battling with inequality - which has been at the heart of service delivery protests.
President Zuma said the country will use the NDP as a roadmap to this prosperity.
“Today marks the beginning of the second phase of our transition from apartheid to a national democratic society. This second phase will involve the implementation of radical socio-economic transformation policies and programmes over the next five years.”
The NDP is a policy blueprint for eliminating poverty and reducing inequality in South Africa by 2030. Among other things, it identifies the key constraints to faster growth and presents a roadmap to a more inclusive economy that will address the country's socio-economic imbalances.
President Zuma said through the NDP, “we will move South Africa forward to prosperity and success”.
The economic transformation programme, according to the new president, will promote local companies, entrepreneurs and cooperatives through local procurement by the state and its agencies.
At a social level, President Zuma said the vision is to develop communities where households will have access to housing, water, electricity, sanitation, safe and reliable public transport, health, education, security, recreational facilities, a clean environment and adequate nutrition.
The NDP also prioritises the national infrastructure development programme - which government has started implementing in the previous administration.
He said the programme will continue to be the flagship of government.
Government will continue to build schools, railways, ports, universities, clinics, colleges, power stations, broadband, roads and more infrastructures around the country.
“The end result of all these transformative economic programmes is a growing inclusive economy which creates jobs and provides opportunities for all, especially the youth.”
But for this vision to succeed, the President said the state will need to improve.
Key targets in this regard, he indicated, will be to eradicate corruption and inefficiency in the public service.
“We will promote productivity within the public service and ensure much tighter accountability, with firm consequences where there is a failure to deliver services to our people,” he said, while committing to serve with humility, commitment and dedication.
He used his address, which hit all the right notes, to call on the nation to work with government as it implements the NDP.
“The road ahead is long and demanding. The challenges ahead may seem insurmountable, but we are determined to succeed, as we have always succeeded in our efforts to overcome challenges.” - SAnews.gov.za
