Fellow
South Africans
Comrades
and Friends,
The
African National Congress has just concluded a two-day NEC Lekgotla in
Tshwane.
The
Lekgotla focused on a number of issues, including the current status of our
economy, job creation and land reform.
It
further engaged on issues of governance, social development and broader
transformation which will be elaborated on by the secretary general tomorrow.
(Wednesday)
We
thought that it was important for the President of the ANC to clearly and
unambiguously articulate the position of the organisation on two matters that
are critical to the economic development of our country and the well-being of
its people.
The
first is the implementation of the ANC’s resolution on land reform.
The
second is about the current economic environment.
On
land reform, the ANC applauds our people, from all walks of life – including
the rural poor, farm labourers, the unemployed, the landless, urban residents,
farmers and traditional leaders – for expressing their views on this critical
matter.
Our
people have been expressing their views on the land question openly and without
any fear or favour.
They
have been putting forward solutions on how the land question can be resolved.
This
is the constitutional democracy that we fought for.
The
ANC reaffirms its position that the Constitution is a mandate for radical
transformation both of society and the economy.
A
proper reading of the Constitution on the property clause enables the state to
effect expropriation of land with just and equitable compensation and also
expropriation without compensation in the public interest.
It
has become patently clear that our people want the Constitution to be more
explicit about expropriation of land without compensation, as demonstrated in
the public hearings.
There
is also a growing body of opinion, by a number of South Africans, that the constitution
as it stands does not impede expropriation of land without compensation.
The
lekgotla reaffirmed its position that a comprehensive land reform programme
that enables equitable access to land will unlock economic growth, by bringing
more land in South Africa to full use, and enable the productive participation
of millions more South Africans in the economy.
Accordingly,
the ANC will, through the parliamentary process, finalise a proposed amendment
to the Constitution that outlines more clearly the conditions under which
expropriation of land without compensation can be effected.
The
intention of this proposed amendment is to promote redress, advance economic
development, increase agricultural production and food security.
It
will also transform the unjust spatial realities in urban areas.
To
accelerate agrarian reform, the ANC has further directed government to urgently
initiate farmer support programmes in depressed areas before the first rains
this year.
This
should include supporting farmers with tools, tractors, fertilisers, seeds,
extension services, finance and access to key infrastructure.
Our
economy is facing serious challenges. The recently released figures on
unemployment are worrying.
Given
this economic environment, the Lekgotla directed government to move with
urgency to develop and implement a stimulus package to ignite growth that will
lead to the creation of jobs, especially for young people and women.
These
efforts should focus on rural communities and townships.
This
stimulus package will be based on existing budgetary resources and the pursuit
of new investments while remaining committed to fiscal prudence.
It
will comprise, amongst others, of the following:
*
Increased investment in public infrastructure.
* Increased
support for entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth and women,
as well as small and medium businesses.
*
Trade support measures for sectors such as sugar and products affected by big
import surges
*
Ensure that procurement focuses on localization
*
Training for unemployed young South Africans with the skills necessary to
compete in a rapidly-changing economy.
As
deployees of the ANC in government, we have committed that the work to develop
this stimulus should start now to ignite growth, tackle unemployment and
mitigate the effects of the rising cost of living.
We
call on all South Africans to work with us in developing a social compact for
economic inclusion, economic growth and jobs for all.
I
thank you.