Nelspruit - The South African government is working closely with trade unions and business to turn around the ailing economy, President Jacob Zuma told thousands of African National Congress supporters on Sunday.
“We have good plans in place which we are implementing to re-ignite economic growth in various sectors, such as energy, the oceans economy, small business development, agriculture, mining, tourism, and others, through government’s nine-point plan. Access to land is critical for economic development and for the empowerment of our people,” Zuma told the ANC faithful at the launch of the ANC’s Mpumalanga August 3 municipal elections manifesto at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Read: Rousing welcome for Zuma at Mpumalanga manifesto launch
Zuma said most economies across the world were also struggling. However, sectors such as tourism could change the fortunes of South African provinces, including Mpumalanga.
“This beautiful province is known for its popularity with tourists from all over the world who come to the Kruger National Park and many other attractions of the province. This sector has huge potential for job creation for our youth. Our municipalities will be urged to prioritise tourism and to promote each town and city in Mpumalanga as a tourist destination.”
However, for the ANC to lead South Africa into the envisaged prosperous future, it had to maintain high levels of unity, particularly within its alliance with trade union federation Cosatu and the SA Communist Party.
“Our people have been deeply hurt and discouraged by the infighting that existed within the alliance in the past. In fact, some used to say the conflict here was more than (in) any other province. Now you have demonstrated to all that it is possible to put differences aside and find one another as comrades. We are comrades not enemies. We must never forget that,” said Zuma.
“Much as we gained our freedom politically in 1994 it is still a long journey for us to rebuild South Africa to reach the area of prosperity. We still need one another. For the ANC to remain in power and work hard to rebuild South Africa it needs Cosatu and the SACP. For Cosatu to have better conditions at work (places) it needs this government and the SACP. For the SACP to move forward to a socialist society it needs this government (and) it needs Cosatu. We need one another for a prosperous future for our country.”
He saluted the Mpumalanga political leadership for demonstrating “matured leadership”.
Zuma said South Africa had achieved much in a short period of time under the ANC leadership.
“Over the past 15 years, over the democratically elected government, we can say with confidence we have achieved a great deal in a very short space of time when it comes to the provision of basic services.
“That has been the mission of our movement since 1994 - to restore the dignity of our people and improve their living conditions. We have improved the percentage of households connected to the electricity supply nationwide. Millions of people no longer rely on candles to light their homes.”
He said the number of households receiving piped water had also increased significantly.
“We have built about four million houses through which we provide homes to about 12.5 million of our people. While we have done well, we also know that we still have a lot more to do.”
The damage done by apartheid “over centuries” could not be corrected within two decades. However, South Africa’s “ideologically bankrupt” opposition parties had nothing to offer the populace, Zuma said.
“We should remind our people that the ANC remains the only organisation that has the capacity, experience, and track record to improve their lives. When election comes, many talk too much, saying all the empty things showing that they have nothing to say. From morning to sunset they talk about the ANC.
“They don’t realise that they popularise the ANC. They have nothing to offer except just hot air. They all wait until the ANC presents its manifesto, then they copy, they cut and paste, and say it is their own manifestoes. If you are a logical voter... I wonder why you vote for people who talk just hot air.”
Zuma said the ANC critics were “small and they will never grow”.
“They have never ruled any country. They have no experience. They have no machinery. They have got nothing, except their voices. That is why they resort to insults at times.”
Instead on relying on political clout the opposition parties wanted to “rely on courts of law”.
“Every day they go to court. They can’t argue any issue. Only the judges must argue for their points. They even threaten that they will go to court. This is democracy. Democracy is not court,” he said.
Zuma was received with thunderous cheering, screaming, and singing when he arrived at the stadium on Sunday afternoon for the launch.
Accompanied by Mpumalanga premier and provincial ANC chairman David Mabuza, Zuma walked around the turf waving his flat cap at supporters. He was escorted by a large contingent of bodyguards and ANC marshals.
Zuma took his seat near the podium shortly before 1pm. The 41 000-seat stadium was nearly full when Zuma arrived.
Mabuza said groundwork had been intensively done in the province and the party was hoping for a 90 percent victory in the tightly-contested August 3 local government elections.
On Saturday, more than 80 000 supporters packed the gigantic FNB Stadium in Johannesburg for the Gauteng ANC manifesto launch.
ANA