Jacques Moolman, president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The president’s latest State of the Nation Address shows once again how government has failed to turn its words into wages.
While few can doubt the lofty sentiments expressed, President Ramaphosa’s speech belies the fact that the state of the nation remains mired in economic distress – a 5% increase in unemployment over the past five years and 60%of the population earning less than R140-a-day, according to a World Bank report published last month.
Whereas President Ramaphosa offered clear statements of positive intent, there was no honest articulation about the urgent steps required to deliver the latest crop of promises.
We appreciate recognition that we need a more capable state and less impediments to business growth. But please, Mr President, where is the plan?
What is glaringly lacking still is an international good practice pragmatic strategy to grow the economy. Simply continuing the same wrong approach is not going to enable the growth needed, nor jobs needed to grow the fiscus.
History tells us that political promises are seldom kept and that in a year’s time, unemployment is likely to have increased by another 600 000 persons p.a.
We now have a new set of promises, to investigate corruption, to build the economy and take the country forward.
We hear the words, but where are the results?
South Africa has proved itself a noble mouthpiece for the dream of a better world based on dignity and human rights. It seems we lack the teeth to turn words into well-being.
