ANC reveals another 'plan' to drive economic growth

DESPITE no longer holding all the keys to ‘drive’ economic growth, the ANC pins its hopes on a 10-point plan presented by its president Cyril Ramaphosa following a national executive committee meeting at the weekend. 

In his address, Ramaphosa said the specific interventions were to advance the vision of the National Development Plan and the economic programme of the Government and the Medium Term Development Plan. 

They include using electricity tariffs and investment in transmission infrastructure to drive economic activity, accelerate the recovery of the freight and logistics sector, rebuild the chrome and manganese industries, improve the capacity of the state to manage major projects and drive local economic development and investment in local infrastructure.

Ramaphosa said the interventions will also see increased focus on labour activation initiatives as well as public employment, enable the growth of provincial economies outside of the main economic centres, accelerate the diversification of trade partners and ensure effective budget and macroeconomic coordination.

“These interventions are intended to support the government's proposed implementation plan on growth and inclusion, and which inform the Annual Performance Plans of various government departments. In undertaking this work, we are not seeking to start from scratch. We have made progress over the last few years in advancing economic restructuring and transformation, in improving our capacity to increase infrastructure investment, for which we have budgeted R1 trillion, and in using public programmes to support employment and livelihoods,” he said. 

He said the government will develop a sustainable budget negotiation strategy in the context of the Government of National Unity. 

“These ten interventions align with and support the work underway in all spheres of government. They signal the urgency and intent of the ANC as we move rapidly to address an economic emergency. The NEC resolved that an Economic War Room be established in the Presidency to coordinate cross-government performance monitoring and publish regular scorecards on progress. Fundamental to the success of these efforts is sound institutional governance.

"Professionalisation and merit-based appointments are going to be non-negotiable. The ANC supports the implementation of the Public Service Professionalisation Framework, ensuring that the public administration is skilled, ethical and insulated from factional politics.”

Reacting to Ramaphosa’s address, the DA said: “We remain concerned at his (Ramaphosa’s) continued defence of the ANC’s failed Black Economic Empowerment policy (BEE), which has deterred investment, stifled growth, and benefited ANC cadres at the expense of the vast majority of black South Africans who remain trapped in poverty and excluded from opportunity.

“Alternatively, South Africa needs a genuine empowerment model that makes a tangible impact in poor communities and creates a pathway out of poverty and into prosperity. This is why the DA will shortly be introducing legislation into Parliament to do exactly that.”

Cape Times