President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the need for economic growth and recovery in his first State of the Nation Address, as well as a focus on education, social justice and other themes.
The SONA went off smoothly; with none of the disruptions that have marred the gathering for the last few years.
Ramaphosa say he will appoint a Presidential Economic Advisory Team, partly with the aim of avoiding junk status for the country.
Ramaphosa gave his vision of Radical Economic Transformation: “Radical Economic Transformation requires that we fundamentally improve the position of black women and communities in the economy, ensuring that they are owners, managers, producers and financiers.”
“Our most grave and most pressing challenge is youth unemployment. It is therefore a matter of great urgency that we draw young people in far greater numbers into productive economic activity,” he adds.
“Young South Africans will be moved to the centre of our economic agenda.”
Ramaphosa vows to fight corruption
Ramaphosa promised an overhaul of the running of the country’s graft-ridden public enterprises and vowed to fight corruption by strengthening the compromised national prosecutions office.
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