Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma urges all South Africans to be part of building a more positive narrative for the economy to reignite economic growth.
CEOs, government officials, labour and the Black Business Council met on Friday to discuss what progress has been made with the Presidential CEO Initiative.
Zuma addressed the media after the meeting, saying great strides have been made, with more than a million paid internships granted for youth, which will be rolled out for a period of three years.
“The intended outcome is to build confidence in the economy and reignite growth, ensuring that it [growth] is also inclusive and to help the country avert a down grade in [its] sovereign credit rating.
The president, together with the private sector, painted a clear picture that “negative utterances” about the country should be brought to an immediate stop.
“We urge all sectors of society to actively support this initiative and ensure that, together, we focus on initiatives that will boost confidence in our country and in the economy and which will boost economic growth and job creation.
“The meeting appeals to all in the country to refrain from public utterances that promote a negative narrative about the country, which undermines confidence in the country and jeopardises job creation and inclusive growth.”
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said there is a need to stabilise all state-owned enterprises financially, after South African Airways and the Post Office found themselves financially struggling over several years.
The president and finance minister are confident the next ratings agency visit next week will yield positive results. “We feel confident we the work we have been doing together,” says Minster Pravin Gordhan.
@heidigiokos
Labour Bureau