By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa has called on all entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities created amid COVID-19. In his statement, Ramaphosa said even though there is no corner of the earth, nor any part of the country that has been unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic, there are abundant opportunities out there.
“I call on entrepreneurs of our nation to seize the abundant opportunities that this historic development will present to explore new markets and build new partnerships.
“This is an opportunity to empower the women of Africa through special trade arrangements, financial inclusion, and preferential access to government and private sector procurement. This year will require our greatest effort and resilience,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the country enters a New Year ready to rebuild the economy, revive businesses and restore jobs. He further said they will continue their drive for new investment.
“Working together in partnership, we are undertaking an ambitious recovery plan to build new roads and water projects, human settlements, and power generation plants.
“We have made important progress in vital economic reforms to ensure we have a secure supply of affordable energy that we have cheaper, faster, and more accessible broadband, and that our ports and railways are more efficient and more competitive,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they are creating public employment opportunities that contribute to the betterment of people’s lives, and providing greater support to the small businesses that drive growth and create jobs.
Ramaphosa further said they are also accelerating the redistribution of land and improving the support provided to beneficiaries too.
“Through this work, we are transforming our economy, enabling more black people, women and young people to participate in, and benefit from, activities from which they had previously been excluded.
“Due to the disruption caused by the pandemic, we have had to learn to work, to learn, to trade, and to socialise in new and different ways. We have harnessed technology as never before to keep our economy working,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the country need to use the great advances it has made to shape a new world of work that is more productive, more efficient, and more focused on the needs of people. He also said the birth of the African Continental Free Trade Area will fundamentally change the economic fortunes of our continent.
“It is the start of a new era of trade between African countries, when the continent will produce the goods and services it needs when its economies will grow, industrialise and diversify, when it will realise the great potential of its abundant natural resources.
“The pandemic has demonstrated people’s great capacity for cooperation, solidarity, and shared endeavour. The country is facing the resurgence of COVID-19, which may be even worse than the first wave,” said Ramaphosa.
He said, while they are greatly encouraged by the progress made in developing an effective vaccine, they know that it will be some time before the pandemic ends.
“The past year has shown what we are capable of when we are united and when we work together for the good of all. It is this spirit that will carry us into the New Year, and which will enable us to prevail and to prosper.
“I wish you a happy and healthy 2021 and it will be challenging and difficult. The coronavirus has devastated lives and destroyed livelihoods, caused great pain, and left many people hungry and destitute,” said Ramaphosa.
He said at the same time, the pandemic has brought people together. Ramaphosa said globally, the countries of the world have worked together to share information and resources.
“Our continent, under the leadership of the African Union, came together to develop a common response to this pandemic, and found an innovative way to ensure all countries have access to essential medical supplies.
“We have gone out to the rest of the world to advocate for debt relief and to mobilise funds for Africa’s coronavirus response and for its economic recovery. In the face of this unprecedented crisis, South Africans have demonstrated the true meaning of ubuntu,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the people have taken responsibility for each other’s welfare, by donating their time, energies, and resources. He said South Africans have mobilised the nation’s resources under difficult conditions and in a very short space of time to support poor families, protect jobs, and keep businesses afloat.
AFASA president, Jacob Mthembu said: “If we are to enjoy the fruits of our harvest and the rewards of our toil, we need to be alive, we need this economy to function. We need the customer to be there to buy our produce. Government is not perfect.
“It has and continues to do its best and so should we. We call upon all of us to take our national duty and responsibility seriously. After all, we are our brother’s/sister’s keeper. We owe it to ourselves, to our kids, and succeeding generations.”
