The governing party’s president Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the party’s January 8 statement in Kimberley on Saturday.
The statement sets out the party’s priorities for the year.
Ramaposa promised to step up the government’s investment drive in an attempt to alleviate the country’s stubbornly high unemployment rate.
“We will… launch a massive infrastructure build programme, reduce the cost of doing business, and see to the creation of jobs and expand pathways for young people into the world of work,” said Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa further promised the governing party would unlock the potential of small business, cooperatives and the township economy.
He said the governing hopes to achieve this by its continued efforts to revamp and re-open industrial parks with the vision to enhance job creation.
“We will continue to promote sectors like manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and the oceans economy as major areas for employment growth. More Special Economic Zones will be opened for further employment creation,” the president vowed to the party supporters at Tafel Lager Stadium.
Ramaphosa said to address economic inequality the governing party will also implement an accelerated land reform programme.
This to provide land to those who work it and who need it, including young people and women.
“All legislative efforts to accelerate the return of the land to the people will be done lawfully and in line with the provisions of the constitution,” he said.
The president stressed the return of the land would happen in a way that promoted economic growth and sustainable food security.
