April (ANA) - President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday that government was committed to accelerating land redistribution, adding that economic freedom means that the land that was taken from black South Africans needs to be returned.
"We are committed to accelerating the redistribution of land, both in urban and rural areas, to ensure that poor South Africans are able to own land and have the means to work it. This is a measure that aims to extend property rights to all South Africans," Ramaphosa said.
"Among the measures, we will use to accelerate redistribution is that of expropriation without compensation where it is necessary and justified. We call on all South Africans to be part of the broad process of consultation on how we should implement this decision in a way that makes redistribution meaningful and which contributes to a stronger economy, greater agricultural production and improved food security."
Ramaphosa has defended the proposed national minimum wage of R20 per hour or R3,500 a month, saying that it was a victory for workers.
On Wednesday, the country came to a standstill when thousands of workers joined in on the general strike organised by the South African Federation of Trade Unions against the implementation of the proposed minimum wage.
Parliament is currently finalising legislation to implement a national minimum wage for the first time in the country’s history, fulfilling a demand made at the Congress of the People in 1955, a gathering that protested injustice and oppression.
Speaking at the Freedom Day celebrations on Friday in Bloemfontein, Free State, Ramaphosa said that the minimum wage was a great victory for the workers and was a tribute to the social partners who worked so hard to make it a reality.
"Some people have argued that the starting minimum wage of R20 an hour is not a living wage. They are correct. Some argue that the national minimum wage will not end income inequality. They too are correct," Ramaphosa said.
"But what the national minimum wage does provide is a firm and unassailable foundation – which is agreed to by all social partners – from which to advance the struggle for a living wage. We must remember that the introduction of the national minimum wage will increase the income of over 6 million working South Africans."
Ramaphosa said that the national minimum wage was like a great hill that the country has climbed, but should dare not linger, because there are still many more hills to climb.
- African News Agency (ANA)
