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Infrastructure, youth development top of 7th administration’s agenda

todayJuly 19, 2024 115 1

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President Cyril Ramaphosa says for South Africa to work- government must restore the culture of not just building but also maintaining infrastructure.

He delivered his Opening of Parliament Address in Cape Town last night, outlining the priorities of the 7th administration.

The President says despite policy difference in some areas – the Government of National Unity (GNU) partners have agreed to work together to advance the interests of all South Africans.

He says where they don’t agree – they will work to find common ground.

 Ramaphosa highlighted the need to attract foreign investment – and says for that to take place, municipalities need to be functional, and infrastructure taken care of.

He’s also highlighted government’s intention to continue with programmes to develop young people, create jobs and give them short-term job opportunities for experience gain.

Ramaphosa says they will institutionalise such initiatives.

He also spoke on the need for visa reforms to attract scarce skills from foreigners to keep South Africa working and tap into the digital as well as the green economy, if needs be.

Addressing concerns brought forward by some sectors, the President said they will continue to implement BEE policies and protect the hard-won rights of workers and their working conditions. A move that means government won’t be implementing the DA’s policy to scrap the Minimum Wage Act, as some had feared it could be a possibility that would give employers the freedom to exploit workers.

With the rising costs of living, the President said his government will try cushion South Africans by expanding the basket of essential food items that are exempt from the Value Added Tax (VAT).

MK Party Parliamentary leader, John Hlophe, is not impressed.

He has slammed the President’s address as boring and designed to please GNU partners, especially the DA.

Hlophe says Ramaphosa’s speech did not address critical issues— such as the conflict in Palestine, which has claimed over 40 000 lives.

He’s also accused the President of lying in his opening address.

“It was appalling to say the least. The President didn’t write the speech. You can see it’s a GNU influence in the speech. It’s a GNU influenced speech. He even lied about his 6th administration creating more than two million jobs. We wasted our time coming here,” he says.

Hlophe also took issue about white people applauding the President’s speech as problematic. He also claims his talk on infrastructure is clearly DA influenced as he knows nothing about it.

The MK Party and other political parties, including the EFF, have firmly taken the reigns from the opposition benches- under the Progressive Caucus.

The group believes the marriage between GNU partners, particularly with the DA, has compromised the role of opposition parties.

Among those who have shared skepticism about the longevity of the GNU is Julius Malema.

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, has praised the President’s speech.

He says he was particularly impressed with his willingness to acknowledge where the ANC-led sixth administration went wrong.

He echoed sentiments by DA leader and Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, whose also welcomed the President’s address.

McKenzie clapped back at political parties, who’ve expressed criticism towards the GNU.

He says despite the naysayers, the new government will press forward and achieve its goal to change the lives of ordinary South Africans.

His counterpart, DA leader John Steenhuisen says where GNU partners have yet to reach an agreement, more robust dialogue will need to take place.

Written by Naomi Kobbie

Written by: Lindiwe Mabena

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