BY Nastasya Tay

President Jacob Zuma said Africa needs to be less pessimistic about the continent if it wants a chance at economic success. 

He also expressed his confidence in the continent’s potential in the coming decades. 

The president said Africa will have the upper hand in the global workforce.

Zuma said good governance, peace and economic growth was needed on the continent.

By 2050, Africa will be home to 20 percent of the world’s youth and 25 percent of the global workforce. 

Zuma said six of the world’s fastest  growing economies are in Africa, with the continent growing faster than Asian nations in eight of the last 10 years.  

He said this growth would help produce the crucial resources to improve health, sanitation and Africa’s quality of life. 

“Africa must release themselves from the shackles of self-doubt and be ambassadors of the continent.”

He said this will ensure it receives the foreign investment that will create decent jobs.

(Edited by Zethu Zulu)