JOHANNESBURG, December 24 (ANA) – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa had moved closer to achieving a non-racial and non-sexist democracy.
In his Christmas message on Thursday Ramaphosa said: “We are nearing the end of another momentous year in the history of our young democracy”.
He said this year has “taken us closer to the achievement of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic South Africa in which all of us, black and white, can live in peace, harmony and prosperity”.
Ramaphosa said “this is a time when we can collectively reflect on the progress made during the year and commit ourselves further to address the challenges that face our country and its people”.
He said no effort would be spared in confronting the challenges facing “our country … poverty, unemployment and inequality”.
Ramapjhosa said in a difficult global economic environment, the SA government have been working to strengthen “our economy through investment in infrastructure, providing support to key industrial sectors, and developing our agricultural value chain”.
The deputy president said through “working together, we have stabilised the supply of electricity to our homes, schools, hospitals, factories and businesses”.
Together with key role players in labour, business, communities and government, Ramaphosa said significant progress had been made towards the introduction of a national minimum wage.
“These deliberations have been part of a broader process among all social partners to improve the labour relations environment, which we expect to complete in the new year.”
He noted that President Jacob Zuma had led an important engagement with major stakeholders in addressing key issues arising from students protests around the cost of higher education.
“We are confident that working together with students organisations and management we will find long term solutions to all these challenges.
“Working together as South Africans, we will be able to realise the call that was made in the Freedom Charter for higher education and technical training to be open to all.
“It is a matter of concern that largely peaceful protest has on occasion been marred by the destruction of critical property of schools, libraries, clinics and damage to other community infrastructure,” said Ramaphosa.
He said as a “society, we need to remain resolute in our conviction that in a democratic society, protest must take place within the framework of the law”.
Ramaphosa said as part of the African Union, South Africa continues to work within the framework of Agenda 2063 to ensure the political and economic renewal of the continent based on good political and economic governance.
“Working together with sister countries in the SADC region we have continued to consolidate regional integration efforts which will add momentum towards building united, prosperous and better Africa,” said Ramaphosa.
“As we embark on journeys to our various destinations let us ensure we observe the rules of the road. Arrive alive must be a way of life for all South Africans.”
– African News Agency (ANA)
