President Ramaphosa highlights importance of growing small businesses

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will work with municipalities across the country to strengthen their leadership and root out widespread and maladministration.

During a fun walk in Soweto this morning alongside cabinet ministers and diplomats, aimed at showing investors the potential that small businesses have for job creation, the President outlined problems facing municipalities.

“The municipalities are facing huge challenges but the good thing is we now know what challenges they are facing and we are going to be able to address their weaknesses and shortcomings. We are going to strengthen our municipalities and make sure that as we improve infrastructure we also strengthen governance and get rid of the maladministration that has set in.”

President Ramaphosa welcomes Investment Conference delegates to Vilakazi Street in Soweto and invited international guests and residents to join him for the #InvestSA #ThumaMina walk. pic.twitter.com/vabvpQJvhf

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) October 27, 2018

Job creation

Ramaphosa says the walk is to show investors the potential that township businesses have for job creation.

“We are going to mobilise and make a contribution to job creation and strengthen businesses in our country. The impact will be felt. You can’t haveR 290 billion being fused into the economy without having an impact. We also want to focus on township businesses and we have brought in business to showcase what the townships are like because one of the areas in the stimulus package is to grow the townships. So this is a good moment for SA.”

The two-kilometre route will include historic Vilakazi Street, where two Nobel laureates -Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu – both once lived.

Speaking to the SABC ahead of the walk, Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom says it’s all about exposing South Africa to the world and potential investors.

#InvestSA walk in Vilakazi Street in Soweto pic.twitter.com/hHh8myMpSX

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) October 27, 2018