By: Natasha Archary
President Cyril Ramaphosa has made several fresh promises to African National Congress (ANC) supporters at the party’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Manifesto Launch over the weekend.
On Saturday, 24 February Ramaphosa highlighted six key priorities that the ANC will focus on should the party retain power at the 2024 elections.
Ramaphosa says these priorities are critical to transform the economy and create jobs, tackle the high cost of living, invest in people, defend our democracy, and advance freedom as well as build a better country, continent, and world.
“By renewing the mandate of the ANC, we will build on the foundations of the 30 years of freedom, and continue the journey to the next 30 years to build a better life with opportunities for current and future generations alike. Together, we will do so much more.
Our plan for the next 5 years:
PRIORITY 1
Put South Africa to work: Our Jobs Plan Over the next 5 years, the ANC will implement a Jobs Plan, with the first pillar a massified public employment plan.
PRIORITY 2Build our industries to achieve an inclusive economy To deepen the transformation of our economy, the ANC will drive industrial growth, innovation and job creation.
We will advance industrialisation with active support for localisation and labour intensive industries. This includes protecting strategic industries like steel and advance industries of the future. We will expand our black industrialist programme to reach 2000 beneficiaries over the next five years.
PRIORITY 3
Tackle the high cost of living We will take steps to make everyday life more affordable for workers, unemployed, and the middle class by addressing key needs like food, housing, healthcare, and energy and wages.
We will prioritise food security, including VAT exemption on essential items, support for community and home gardens, and act against price fixing in all sectors.
PRIORITY 4
Invest in people. We will continue investing in South Africa’s people by improving access to quality education and health, expanding the use of science and technology, and ensuring all people have decent housing and basic services.
We will continue to work together to ensure South Africans live long and healthy lives and that all people, regardless of their income, receive quality health care.
PRIORITY 5
Defend democracy and advance freedom. Over the next five years we must continue to promote and defend the rights of all South Africans against racism, sexism, gender-based violence, homophobia, discrimination and other intolerances.
This means we must remain resolute in advancing the rights and dignity of children, older persons, persons living with disability, the LGBTQI, the youth and continue the fight for women’s emancipation and a truly non-sexist society, as part of our constitutional commitment to consistent equality.
PRIORITY 6
Build a better Africa and World The ANC will continue to play an active role in promoting peace, development, and justice globally. Over the next five years we will continue to support the operationalisation of African Continental Free Trade Area to increase South Africa’s trade and manufacturing within Africa.
We will Promote peace, security, and development in SADC and beyond and advance solidarity with Palestine, Western Sahara, Cuba, and others.
We will continue to strengthen developing countries’ voice in the UN and other institutions and promote South-South cooperation and global governance reform as we address climate change, global poverty, and inequality.”
President Ramaphosa highlighted 6 priorities at ANC KZN Manifesto Launch
OUR PLAN FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
PRIORITY 6. Build a better Africa and World
The ANC will continue to play an active role in promoting peace, development, and justice globally. Over the next five years we will continue to support the operationalisation of African Continental… https://t.co/5ns7tpTM04
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 24, 2024
Ten others are said to be in critical condition as a result of the driver reportedly losing control of the bus and the vehicle overturned on the R33 route, 5km from Paulpietersburg.
The ANC supporters were en route back home to Mpumalanga after the ANC’s manifesto launch in Durban when the crash occurred.
Also read: Three arrested for murder of German tourist in Limpopo
