‘We Can Lament, Or We Can Act’ – Ramaphosa Fields Questions In Parliament

Riyaz Patel

South Africa will continue to bear the brunt of the “historical distortions of our labour market and our economy for a long time to come,” President Cyril Ramaphosa has said, citing the unemployment statistics released this week which showed the jobless rate had climbed to its highest level in 11 years.

“Our task is to implement measures that stimulate and grow the economy and create jobs, but at the same time address and overcome the root causes of inequality,” he said fielding questions in the National Assembly.

Ramaphosa said a concerted effort by all social partners, including government, labour, business, civil society and this Parliament was needed to overcome the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

The president was reminded that he had said in July that “nation building has economic, political, cultural and social dimensions that are interrelated,” and was asked what steps Government had taken