Share

Zuma: Africa's resources must benefit Africa

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma said Africa's youth must discuss ways in which the continent can utilise its resources and raw materials more profitably.

Zuma on Friday encouraged delegates to the fourth Pan African Youth Union Congress to be torchbearers for the continent's development.

"We look to the youth of Africa to become more focused and more aware of the challenges facing this beautiful continent, so that you can be ready to take Africa to greater heights," he said in a speech prepared for delivery in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.

Zuma said the congress was important because it provided an opportunity to reflect on issues of youth development in Africa. The youth was regarded by the African Union (AU) as its greatest resource.

"It is reported that Africa is the youngest continent in the world, and that about 70% of the population is 30 years of age or younger.

"We thus pride ourselves in Africa of having more than 600 million young people," Zuma said.

The congress's theme was apt: "Youth Moving Africa Forward".

Africa's youth still faced problems, including unemployment and inadequate access to education and health care, and these were more acutely felt in rural areas.

"Africa continues to record strong economic growth, despite the weaker global economic environment. At the same time, there are obstacles to growth."

Increased investment in infrastructure was needed to alleviate growth constraints.

"We need your contribution to discuss ways in which the continent can be able to utilise its resources and raw materials more profitably, instead of enriching the world where these resources are sent without promoting self-reliance and sustainability locally," Zuma told delegates.

He urged them to come up with innovative ways to ensure that African resources were put to their best use to benefit all Africans.

"It is therefore incumbent upon the youth to forge unity among themselves and use their energy and drive to ensure the total success of the [AU] Agenda 2063."

When the year 2063 came, this generation of youth would be expected to hand over a better Africa to the youth, Zuma said.

"The Africa you will hand over... should be free from war and conflict, disease, hunger, homelessness, extreme poverty and all other social ills engineered and sustained by actions of human beings.

"It must be an Africa that is at peace with itself in every corner. While Africa is making progress economically, there still exist pockets of conflict around the continent," he said.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.97
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
24.06
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.57
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
+0.5%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.7%
Platinum
900.98
-0.2%
Palladium
1,000.76
-0.5%
Gold
2,154.33
-0.3%
Silver
24.93
-0.5%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
65,711
-0.8%
All Share
71,937
-0.7%
Resource 10
52,899
-0.8%
Industrial 25
99,362
-1.1%
Financial 15
16,590
-0.2%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders