By Ministers have taken their cue from President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech during the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) on 18 July 2024, and the Democratic Alliance (DA) has hit the ground running in rebuilding the economy of the country.
Ramaphosa said building an inclusive economy in South Africa is at the centre of the Government of National Unity (GNU). He said the seventh administration will pursue every action that contributes to sustainable, rapid economic growth and remove every obstacle that stands in the way of growth.
According to the DA Leader and Minister of Agriculture Mr John Steenhuisen, the DA has aligned itself with the call of President Cyril Ramaphosa and committed to building an inclusive economy.
Steenhuisen says economic growth in the country has been stalled by political forces that seek to break down instead of building, however, in accordance to the message of the President, the DA Leader said his party members are weaver birds and are already furiously at work to deliver on Ramaphosa’s vision of an inclusive economy.
“For well over a decade, South Africans have paid a painful price as economic growth and job creation suffered at the hands of these forces. Time and time again, they have used populist politics and racial rhetoric to break down any attempt at building consensus over the growth-enhancing reforms our economy so desperately needs.
They have done so deliberately, because it is only by sowing division and preventing reform that they can keep institutions weak, keep the taps of corruption flowing, and stay out of jail over their many misdeeds. For too long, we have allowed those who seek to break our country down for their own personal gain, to hold back the builders who yearn for a South Africa with a growing economy that creates millions of new jobs,” said John Steenhuisen.
Following the 20024 elections, that saw the ANC fall below 50% since democracy leading to a GNU; Steenhuisen says this gave his party a chance to showcase what they can do and to effect change, especially in the portfolios they hold in executive and in parliament.
He said the DA is already hard at work in growing the economy of the country.
“In Agriculture, we are building South Africa by partnering with the private sector to enhance biosecurity, extension services and international trade, to turn this sector into an engine of economic growth and job creation. In Public Works and Infrastructure, we are exposing corruption and building the foundations to turn South Africa into a giant construction site that grows the economy.
At Home Affairs, we are tackling the visa backlog and reforming the system to bring in the valuable skills we desperately need to help build our country. In Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, we are unlocking funding from the Just Energy Transition partnership to build the industries of the future. In Basic Education, we are restoring the dignity to our children by reducing pit toilets and building the skills of the future.
And in Communications and Digital Technologies, we are building a new digital ecosystem to drive the modernisation and digital transformation of our society,” said the DA Leader.
John Steenhuisen says the GNU will focus on growing the economy and create jobs, coupled with the reduction of national debt that will help in freeing up some resources, which will assist in growing the economy.
“I also welcome the policy interventions to expand the basket of food items exempt from VAT, to review and reduce the fuel price, to prevent undue political interference in the public service, and to set up specialised policing units to fight violent crime and the construction mafias.
These policy changes are ones that the DA has long advocated for, and they will make a meaningful impact on reducing the cost of living, enhancing the capacity of the state, and tackling the violent crime that plagues too many of our communities,” said Steenhuisen.
