Help SA find prosperity in unity

The Coronavirus pandemic dealt South Africa’s already tenuous economy a harsh blow and the task of improving our financial well-being is a mammoth one. Rising to the challenge, government has drawn on the inputs of labour, business and community organisations to create a comprehensive, inclusive Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.

In a nutshell, the plan aims to create jobs through infrastructure development and large-scale employment programmes; stimulate industrial growth through the development of small businesses and the strengthening of medium and large businesses; and accelerate economic reforms to unlock investment. It also aims to expand the country’s energy generation capacity and improve the capability of the State.

The South African economy shed 2.2 million jobs in the second quarter of 2020, posing one of South Africa’s greatest challenges.

New jobs

Unemployment not only affects an individual’s well-being and that of his/her family, it also means fewer people are able to contribute to the productive output of the economy and more people rely on the State to support them. In addition, a shrinking tax base for government results in less money in the State coffers.

That is why government is determined to create 800 000 new jobs in the short-term, through a major infrastructure programme and mass employment stimulus, coupled with an intensive localisation drive and industrial expansion.

Many of these jobs will be created through the public sector. With regard to infrastructure development, President Cyril Ramaphosa hopes to unlock more than R1 trillion in infrastructure investment over the next four years, which will have both short- and long-term economic benefits.

It will create jobs, result in the building of bridges, roads, schools, medical facilities and other essential infrastructure and help construction and related services companies gear up their production.

If successfully implemented, the recovery plan will add an additional 1.7% to South Africa’s baseline of 1.3% economic growth, which would bring about 3% GDP growth on average over the next 10 years.

Get involved

Public servants can do their bit to kickstart the economy by committing to the ‘buy local’ campaign – by buying locally produced goods and services, you will be contributing to the local economy and helping to creating jobs.

Small businesses, township enterprises and women-owned businesses will especially benefit from your support.

Help root out crime and corruption, both of which are significant barriers to South Africa reaching its full potential. The misuse of State funds has derailed far too many attempts to improve the lives of South Africa’s people.

Understand and support the drive to reduce government expenditure, which will free up desperately needed funds for poverty alleviation, infrastructure investment and economic development.

Become a domestic tourist – you will not only be amazed by the country’s diversity and splendour, but will be helping to spur growth across a number of other sectors. Hard hit by the pandemic, tourism’s supply chain nonetheless has the potential to catalyse economic growth and job creation.

Support government’s efforts to improve coordination and integration between national, provincial and local government to ensure that all areas in South Africa benefit from development plans and agendas. The new District Development

Model is starting to align the work of these three tiers of government and needs the buy-in of all public servants.

Address infrastructure project delays, monitor all programmes to ensure they are being properly implemented and ensure you walk the talk when it comes to the Batho Pele principles and government’s commitment to building an efficient, effective, ethical and caring Public Service.

The Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan has the potential to boost flagging investor confidence by speeding up economic reform, creating policy certainty, putting muscle behind the corruption fight and stabilising the country’s power supply.

To succeed, it needs all State institutions to work at maximum efficiency, public sector managers to ensure they are not responsible for any delays or shortcomings, and monitoring mechanisms to be implemented across the board.

As public servants, I urge you to uphold government’s part in the social compact President Ramaphosa has forged with business, labour and civil society by helping create an enabling environment for economic growth and national well-being and by using public resources wisely.

Report corruption on the National AntiCorruption Hotline 0800 701 701.

Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu.