While 6.2 million people remain unemployed in South Africa this causes a great deal of worry for the future of South Africa. Last night President Cyril Ramaphosa’s main focus was based on job creation and investment in South Africa.

Increasing investors confidence in South Africa is helping the South African economy with a projected R70bn to be invested in the country within the first three quarters of 2019. These investments are expected to create 100 000 direct jobs and 250 000 indirect jobs, while the export industry is expected to create over 2 million direct jobs in agriculture, retail, construction, and transport by the year 2030.

Agriculture remains South Africa’s largest source of export paving the way for more development via land reform. This means that more land will be awarded to agricultural development and human settlement. There are currently 250 000 emerging farmers who are working the land and require government assistance. The potential of the agricultural sector in South Africa’s job creation and economic growth still remains largely underdeveloped. 

The president also touched on the introduction behind the “Buy South African products” which will see the reduction of imports coming into South Africa, forcing good quality products to be manufactured locally and sold globally by utilising the free trade agreement that is in place between South Africa and certain countries. This will not only boost our economy but it will help toward job creation.

An investment of R1.3 million will be utilised to build much-needed schools, two universities and hundreds of new homes, helping to create jobs within the building sector whilst growing the economy and improving infrastructure.

Mr Ramaphosa highlighted the need to close the educational gap in South Africa and has requested private enterprises to assist in the up-skilling of youth in a bid to help reduce the educational and economic gap faced in society.

With the election date announced for the 8th of May 2019, many South Africans wonder if these promises will be delivered by the president or will it be another pipe dream.

Mumtaz Moosa Saley