'Joint effort needed to create jobs'

Johannesburg - The Association for Savings and Investment SA (Asisa) says the country's main challenges can be dealt with through coordinated effort by all sectors.

Asisa CEO Leon Campher told the organisation's annual conference on Thursday that growth, employment creation and social security reform were among the key challenges facing the country.

"We're faced with challenges and we must rise to it," he said.

"The fundamental truth is that not one single constituency on its own can deliver. We're all in this boat together," Campher said.

Asisa is an organisation that represents the majority of asset managers in the country, investment scheme management companies and life insurance companies, among others.

Campher said the industry had to become involved in discussions on the government's proposed new growth path and "increase employment" as a sector.

Asisa would play a role, in particular, in mobilising household savings, Campher said, adding that corporate and government savings should also increase.

"We need investment; we need capital. The capital must be spent where it's intended."

Asisa's programmes for the year include the creation of a foundation that will be a joint effort in socially responsible investment and consumer education.