Zuma: Give SA a positive spin

Cape Town – South African diplomats should put all their efforts into promoting a positive environment for economic growth and development to break the back of poverty, unemployment and inequality, President Jacob Zuma said in Pretoria on Sunday.

“We have set a growth target of 5% by 2019,” he told the country’s ambassadors and high commissioners. “Such a target would enable us to get more South Africans employed.

"It is not an easy target to meet, given the global economic climate, but as government, business, labour and society in general we need to use all the expertise and resources at our disposal to meet this goal. We may also need to change our attitudes.”

He told delegates attending the Heads of Mission Conference that South Africa should continue telling the good story of success. “In only 20 years we have moved from being a pariah in the world to a key player that is recognised and respected,” he said.

“We have consolidated democracy and begun to build a new society based on a progressive constitution that promotes human rights, equality and justice for all.”

“This work is not yet completed, which is why we still see unhappy communities in some parts of the country,” he said. “Each day, we try to reach another community without water, electricity, decent shelter, decent schools and so forth.

"We pride ourselves on being a government that is concerned about ensuring a better life for all our people especially the poor and workers.”

SA President Jacob Zuma addressing the DIRCO Heads of Missions Conference @UbuntuRadioZA pic.twitter.com/XW5d335lDJ

— MbaliMagagula (@magagulaSA) August 31, 2014

Open opportunities abroad

Zuma said government wanted to open more opportunities abroad for goods and services and wanted to attract more investment towards South Africa in the next five years. “Missions should gear themselves to support the economic cluster and our business community in opening up opportunities for engagement,” he said.

“We want more markets for South African goods abroad and we want more investments to flow towards South Africa. We want you to play your role in this regard.”

On energy, Zuma said there was a strong push in South Africa for an energy mix that includes nuclear, solar, shale gas, wind and coal. “We will be looking for partnerships for this strategic project …,” he said.

On regional politics, he said the people of the DRC, Central African Republic, Sudan and South Sudan, Somalia and parts of North Africa and Nigeria deserve to live in peace.

“We must also as Africa work closely together to fight the consequences of globalisation such as international terrorism, transnational crime and cyber terrorism, which remain a serious threat.”

- Fin24 and Sapa