Day: July 18, 2024

As the sun sets in Cape Town and momentum starts building towards President Cyril Ramaphosa’s delivery of the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA), guests have been laying out their expectations on what the President will deliver in his speech.

Anticipation is in the air as the President is about to reveal what the seventh administration – made up of the Government of National Unity – has in store for South Africans.

Guests speaking to SAnews laid out a variety of issues that they expect the President to address.

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemi Majodina, said: ‘We’re waiting for him to address water issues in the country and job creation. I also expect him to address how municipalities that are struggling to provide services will be assisted because our people have told us that they have had enough.’

Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said: ‘I’m expecting the President to outline the priorities of the Government of National Unity, which already are found in the Statement of
Intent that the parties signed.

‘At the centre of it is how do we make South Africa work… creating more jobs, supporting small businesses and ensuring that we provide better services to our people.’

Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba said she hopes President Ramaphosa will address how rural economies can be developed for the benefit of those who live in those areas.

‘People are following economic opportunities and people are following jobs. So we are looking at an inclusive economy. The President should address some of those issues on how would we unlock investments and investments must not just come as commitments.

‘They must come with growth and development. Once there is development, jobs will start to come in and when people get jobs where they are staying, there’s no need to migrate,’ Ramathuba said.

Former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise, called on the President to explain to South Africans how participants in the Government of National Unity have come together for the better
ment of the country.

‘I expect that the President will bring together those in government. I also expect that he will be able to satisfy us that there is cohesion; there is finding of each other [on] the different strengths that are now in Cabinet and that he will pull them together on behalf of us as South Africans,’ Modise said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The South African Reserve Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) has decided to keep the repo rate at 8.5% for the seventh time in a row, despite a slight improvement in the inflation rate.

Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago announced the decision following the July MPC meeting in Pretoria.

Four members voted to keep the rate unchanged, while two preferred to cut it by 25 basis points.

‘In discussing the stance, MPC members agreed that restrictive policy remains appropriate to stabilise inflation at 4.5%. The committee assessed that an unchanged stance remained appropriate, given the inflation risks.

‘Some members, however, were of the view that the inflation outlook had improved enough to reduce the degree of restrictiveness,’ Kganyago said on Thursday.

This means that the current prime lending rate remains at 11.75%, based on a repo rate of 8.25%.

However, Kganyago said the Bank remains concerned about administered prices.

‘We have had to mark up electricity inflation for this forecast round, eve
n as other categories shifted lower,’ he said, adding that services price inflation also remains uncomfortably above the mid-point.

He spoke at length about inflation. The most recent headline print for May was 5.2%, unchanged from April and still in the top half of the target range.

‘The outlook, however, has improved somewhat. Headline consumer price inflation for this year is now projected at 4.9%, compared to 5.1% at the previous meeting.’

Meanwhile, Kganyago predicted that in the next few quarters, the headline is expected to drop below the 4.5% midpoint, mainly due to fuel and food prices.

‘This outlook is supported by the stronger rand. The implied starting point for our forecast is now at R18.35 to the US dollar. Over the medium term, we continue to see inflation stabilising at 4.5%, with core inflation remaining close to this midpoint objective throughout.’

The Governor said the forecast continues to see rates easing into more ‘neutral territory’ by next year.

‘As before, the rate path from the
Quarterly Projection Model remains a broad policy guide, changing from meeting to meeting,’ he said.

He said the decisions of the MPC will continue to be data-dependent and ‘sensitive’ to the balance of risks to the outlook.

‘We are committed to stabilising inflation at the mid-point of the target band. Achieving this outcome will improve the economic outlook and reduce borrowing costs.’

Kganyago stressed the committee’s views on additional measures that would improve economic conditions.

He mentioned the need to achieve a reasonable public debt level, enhance the operation of network industries, reduce controlled price inflation, and align real wage growth with productivity gains.

The next meeting of the MPC will be on 19 September 2024.

Source: South African Government News Agency

A heightened focus on the use of modern technology to help with crime prevention efforts will continue to be a key priority of the seventh administration.

‘A data-driven approach will be used to identify violent crime hotspots and inform the allocation of policing resources alongside prevention measures,’ President Cyril Ramaphosa said at the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) on Thursday.

The President was outlining apex focus areas for the next five years, which will be driven by the Government of National Unity (GNU). After the National and Provincial Elections in May produced no outright majority winner, various political leaders were tasked to work together to form a Government of National Unity, comprised of 10 political parties.

In his address tonight, President Ramaphosa said the country must have capable, sophisticated and independent law enforcement agencies that can fight complex and organised crime.

He committed that the Government of National Unity will continue to tackle priority crimes, in
cluding illegal mining, gang violence, cash-in-transit heists and the construction mafia, through specialised police units.

‘We will continue to implement the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), and expand victim support services, like the Thuthuzela Centres and GBV desks in police stations,’ President Ramaphosa said.

Land reform

Switching focus to the land reform programme, the President announced that government will increase the funding thereof, prioritise the transfer of State land and improve post-settlement support by strengthening the institutional capacity of the structures relevant to the programme.

‘To achieve rapid, inclusive growth, we need to fix our struggling municipalities. Growth happens at a local level, where people live and work.

‘Our municipalities must become both the providers of social services and facilitators of inclusive economic growth. They must work to attract investment,’ President Ramaphosa said.

Meanwhile, the President expressed w
ords of comfort to families affected by floods in the Western Cape and veld fires in KwaZulu-Natal.

Thousands of people across the Western Cape were left destitute after storms damaged their homes, including businesses and infrastructure in the province.

‘In recent days, we have witnessed runaway fires in KwaZulu-Natal, in which 14 people, including six firefighters, lost their lives. The fires also caused the destruction of homes, livestock and grazing land.

‘The thoughts of all South Africans are with all those people who have been subjected to these terrible weather conditions as they work to recover and rebuild,’ President Ramaphosa said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The face of the South African landscape is set for a significant upgrade, with a massive investment in infrastructure expected over the next five years.

‘From our largest metros to our deepest rural areas, we have a clear intention to turn our country into a construction site, as roads, bridges, houses, schools, hospitals and clinics are built, as broadband fibre is laid and as new power lines are installed,’ President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday.

Delivering the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) in Cape Town, the President stressed the importance of engendering a culture of maintenance of public infrastructure, while also dedicating resources and establishing systems to ensure this.

‘In the next five years, working together, drawing on our collective capabilities [in the Government of National Unity], we will forge a new inclusive growth path for South Africa by pursuing a massive investment in infrastructure. Significant projects are underway around the country in areas such as transport, roads, wa
ter, energy and human settlements.

‘We will massively increase the scale of investment in infrastructure through a more holistic and integrated approach, positioning Infrastructure South Africa as the central institution of coordination and planning,’ the President said.

He said government is simplifying the regulations on public-private partnerships to enable greater investment in both social and economic infrastructure development.

‘As the Government of National Unity (GNU), we are resolved to intensify our investment drive, encouraging and enabling businesses to invest in productive capacity. These investments will lead to increased employment creation for unemployed South Africans especially for young people,’ President Ramaphosa said.

After South Africans took to the polls on 29 May, the General Election results produced no outright majority winner – tasking various political leaders to work together to form a Government of National Unity, much like what was required at the dawn of democracy in 1994.

Some 10 political parties are part of the GNU, with leaders from some of those political formations appointed as Ministers and Deputy Ministers.

With the work of the seventh administration set to commence, the Government of National Unity has resolved to dedicate the next five years to actions that will advance three strategic priorities that include driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, as well as building a capable, ethical and developmental State.

Improving passenger rail network

With so many people living far from economic opportunities and services, transport costs take up a large part of people’s income and drive up the cost of living.

‘An immediate priority is therefore to complete the recovery of the passenger rail network across the country to enable people to travel from outlying areas to city centres. Around 80% of commuter rail corridors are now back in operation, and nearly 300 vandalised stations have been refurbished, providing saf
er and more efficient services to commuters,’ Ramaphosa said.

Through the implementation of the Freight Logistics Roadmap, government will continue with reforms to transform South Africa’s freight logistics system.

‘To drive inclusive growth, we need an efficient freight rail network to carry our minerals, agricultural produce and manufactured goods to market. The work we are doing with business and unions through the National Logistics Crisis Committee has already contributed to improvements in the operational performance of freight rail and ports,’ the President said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Just as friends and families often pull together to ensure a roof over the heads of their loved ones, or their general well-being, President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to the larger South African family to behave as weaver birds who give their all to build and cooperate.

The call to become birds of a feather, was made by President Ramaphosa as he delivered the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) on Thursday night, at the Cape Town City Hall.

‘We would like all of us as South Africans to behave like ‘weaver birds’. Weavers are among the most gregarious birds in that they build complex structures together and cooperate.

“Despite all the challenges, despite our differences, despite all the headwinds, as South Africans we are called upon to remain firmly committed to pursue the path of cooperation, growth and inclusion,’ said President Ramaphosa who set the tone of the seventh administration’s Government of National Unity (GNU).

The formation of the GNU follows the 29 May historic National and Provincial El
ections which produced no outright winner necessitating the formation of the GNU which is made up of 10 parties represented in the seventh Parliament.

Indlulamithi Scenarios

Exactly fifty days since South Africa held the elections, the President, in emphasising the need for us to look after one another, referred to the Indlulamithi Scenarios 2035. The scenarios were the result of a diverse group of partners and stakeholders from across society coming together to consider various scenarios for the future of South Africa Inc.

One of the scenarios they described was the ‘The Recrimination Nation’, using the loud Hadeda bird as its symbol. This described a situation of inaction, where the country’s problems go unresolved, and where everyone blames each other for South Africa’s ills. This scenario painted a picture of the country going into decline.

The second scenario, symbolised by a vulture, painted a picture of a desperate nation governed by a populist coalition whose main objective is self-enrichment and
patronage. This scenario saw investment confidence being eroded, the growth path being low and unemployment, poverty and inequality remaining extremely high.

Stakeholders and partners also described a scenario they called ‘The Cooperation Nation’, symbolised by the social weaver birds.

‘This scenario paints a picture where after disruptions and protests there is a coming together of political parties, the state, private sector and civil society in order to jointly identify priorities and leveraging the strength of each.

“There is change in the form of governance and reform that leads to the economy growing, with more investment attracted, leading to the reduction of unemployment, inequality and poverty,” the President explained.

“By establishing the Government of National Unity, by preparing for a National Dialogue, we have deliberately set ourselves along the path towards a ‘cooperation nation’,’ he said.

With the country charting its path in the new GNU, the President reflected on the democratic South
Africa’s founding President, Nelson Mandela, who is being remembered today through the Mandela Day initiative.

‘Thirty years ago, President Nelson Mandela stood before this House to reflect on the first 100 days of the first Government of National Unity.

“Recognising the different views of the diverse parties within the government, he said: ‘What brings us together is the overriding commitment to a joint national effort to reconcile our nation and improve its well-being.’

President Ramaphosa said the same could be said of the current GNU parties who share a commitment to reconcile the nation by advancing social justice and equal prosperity for all.

‘We are committed to improve the well-being of our country and its people through inclusive growth, the creation of jobs and the reduction of poverty. This is an undertaking that involves us all.’

National Dialogue

To address the laundry basket of South Africa’s challenges, President Ramaphosa spoke to the holding of a National Dialogue and to agree on what n
eeds to be done to achieve a better future.

Having announced the National Dialogue commitment at the Presidential Inauguration on 19 June, the President said people across society have expressed their support for the dialogue.

‘They have said it should involve all key stakeholders in the life of our country, representing civil society, traditional leaders, the faith-based sector, labour, business, cultural workers, sports people and other formations representing the diverse interests and voices of our citizens.

‘Following the example set by historic events, such as the Congress of the People in 1955, the Conference for a Democratic Future in 1989 and the CODESA talks in the early 1990s and drawing on the experience of the writing of our new democratic constitution in 1996, we envisage a National Dialogue that involves extensive and inclusive public participation.’

He added that government will seek to forge a common vision and build a comprehensive social compact with a clear programme of action to realis
e aspirations for the country.

‘Through this National Dialogue, we are called to be agents of change, to be champions of inclusive growth, to be creators of opportunity,’ said the President.

While we may not have a crystal ball to gaze into collective South Africa’s future, what is certain is that if we all remain eagle-eyed, South Africa will be better for all.

‘We have an opportunity to make South Africa a better nation,’ said the President.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Cabinet will be convening a further strategy session to consider the Medium-Term Development Plan, which will translate the Government of National Unity priorities into a detailed plan and interventions that government will implement over the next five years.

Delivering the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the plan will set out a well-defined vision and strategic plan that outlines clear goals and includes specific, measurable objectives and a roadmap for achieving them.

‘These goals will be properly aligned with the Budget, which will support the implementation of these objectives. In all this work, the National Development Plan Vision 2030 remains the defining blueprint for our country’s growth and development.

The National Development Plan aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.

‘We will also draw inspiration from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 in craf
ting our Medium-Term Development Plan,’ President Ramaphosa said.

The President noted that the recent Cabinet Lekgotla underscored the determination of all members of the Government of National Unity to work together to advance the interests of all South Africans.

READ | First GNU Cabinet Lekgotla kicks off in Tshwane

‘It noted with appreciation the commitment and great enthusiasm with which the newly appointed Ministers and Deputy Ministers, as well as Premiers, have embarked on their duties,’ President Ramaphosa said.

The Government of National Unity has resolved to dedicate the next five years to actions that will advance three strategic priorities, including inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and to build a capable, ethical and developmental state.

Source: South African Government News Agency