Share

Economy growing, but not enough to create jobs - Zuma

Cape Town - The South African economic outlook for 2017 is improving, said President Jacob Zuma, with an expected 1.3% growth rate in the coming year.
 
Delivering his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in the National Assembly Chamber on Thursday, Zuma said although the economy is entering a period of recovery, growth is still not high enough to create the jobs the country need.
 
“There are some of our people including youth who have not worked for years. For this reason we have decided to focus on a few key areas, packaged as the 9-point plan to reignite growth so that the economy can create much needed jobs,” Zuma said.
 
He first introduced the 9-point plan in the 2016 SONA, which includes:
 
1. Resolving the energy challenge;
2. Upping the agricultural value chain;
3. Beneficiation through adding value to mineral resources;
4. More effective implementation of higher impact industrial policy action plan;
5. Encouraging private sector investment;
6. Moderating work place conflict;
7. Unlocking the potential of SMMEs, cooperatives, townships and rural enterprises;
8. Reform of state-owned companies, broadband roll-out, water sanitation and transport infrastructure; and
9. Operation Phakisa which aims to grow the ocean economy - such as the shipping and storage of energy products.
 
Zuma said in this year’s speech there was considerable progress made with the various areas in the 9-point plan.
 
The President only managed to start his speech 90 minutes after the scheduled time, as the EFF, DA and Cope raised numerous points of order, which delayed the proceedings.

The National Assembly Chamber then erupted in violence when EFF members skirmished with security forces. They were subsequently forcibly removed.

READ: How rand reacts to Zuma's SONA

Read Fin24's top stories trending on Twitter:

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
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.45
+0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.35
+0.0%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
904.58
+0.9%
Palladium
1,012.82
+1.1%
Gold
2,219.05
+1.1%
Silver
24.81
+0.7%
Brent-ruolie
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.9%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.9%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
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