The weaker rand exchange rate also poses a significant risk to inflation.
Zuma said "we know that we can cope with this period of turbulence".
"We are still going through a difficult period.
"Developments in the United States economy have led to a rapid depreciation in the emerging market currencies, including the rand."
He said during the course of 2013, the rand depreciated by 17.6% against the US dollar.
"The weaker exchange rate poses a significant risk to inflation and will also make our infrastructure programme more expensive."
Despite these concerns, Zuma said export companies, particularly in the manufacturing sector, should take advantage of the weaker rand and the stronger global recovery.