- The ANC is committed to creating 2.5 million job opportunities over the next five years.
- The party announced its election manifesto at a rally in Durban on Saturday.
- Local and national elections will be held in the country on May 29th.
The ANC promised voters it would create 2.5 million job opportunities over the next five years and gradually increase the R350 social distress relief grant for the unemployed.
While the ANC does not commit in its manifesto to end load shedding, it does promise that investment in infrastructure, particularly energy infrastructure, roads and rail, is essential for inclusive economic growth.
On Saturday, President Cyril Ramaphosa released the party's manifesto listing promises voters should make if they vote for the ANC over the next five years.
The ANC will go into the May 29 general election with an imminent threat of losing its national majority.
Panoramic view of the African National Congress (ANC) election manifesto presentation held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. (Photo by Gallo Images/Darren Stewart).
According to the party's manifesto, achieving its ambitious goal of reducing unemployment will require creating 500,000 new jobs every year for the next five years.
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The ANC has made ambitious commitments to create work opportunities, including through the Presidential Employment Stimulus, funding for non-profit businesses that provide work opportunities, and expanding the National Youth Authority to enable young people to work for the South. It says this will be achieved through a series of initiatives. African National Defense Force.
The promise of 500,000 new jobs is almost double the number the party promised to achieve in 2019.
In the run-up to the 2019 general election, the ANC promised to create around 275,000 jobs a year.
People arrive at the presentation of the African National Congress electoral manifesto at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on February 24, 2024.
The pledge to create work opportunities comes as South Africa's unemployment rate stands at 31.9%, according to this month's data.
The unemployment rate was 29.0% in 2019, when the ANC promised to create 275,000 jobs a year.
In its manifesto for this year's elections, the ANC said it would “strengthen support for small businesses, entrepreneurs and co-operatives, especially in towns and villages, provide benefits for women, young people and people with disabilities, and reach an additional 1 million people.” “We will provide work opportunities.” May 29th.
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It also pledged to engage the private sector in job creation issues to “contribute to national efforts to protect jobs, create jobs and put South Africans to work.”
The ANC's second priority is building industry to achieve an inclusive economy.
It has detailed plans for infrastructure investments to address the country's water crisis and sustained power outages due to load shedding.
Mr. Ramaphosa attended the ANC election manifesto presentation held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on February 24, 2024.
“Investment, especially in energy, is needed to end load shedding and ensure a secure electricity supply,” the party said in its manifesto.
To expand and modernize industrial capacity, the ANC pledged to promote labor-intensive industrial sectors to address the employment crisis.
”[The ANC will] Domestic industries with great potential to create sustainable jobs, such as mining (including artisanal and small-scale mining), agriculture, energy, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, green and blue economy, tourism, and the creative sector. Continue to foster partnerships to expand. and the digital economy,” the manifesto reads.
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The ruling party also pledged to use the state's procurement budget to strengthen local businesses that produce goods and services, and encourage private companies to follow suit.
A program for black businesspeople will also be expanded to support 2,000 people.
The ANC's plans to improve economic conditions include creating a public sovereign wealth fund, tackling the state banking sector and giving each province the power to set up its own financial institutions.
Election manifesto launch by coffin-carrying supporters of the RIP MK party at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on February 24, 2024.
The ANC's third priority area is to “make daily life more affordable for the working, unemployed and middle class by addressing critical needs such as food, shelter, health care, energy and We will tackle the high cost of living by taking action.” wage”.
This is because household budgets are being stretched to the limit as food prices continue to rise from already intolerable levels. Prices of staple foods such as corn flour and samples are up nearly 30% compared to a year ago.
The ANC says it will invest in talent by “meeting everyone's basic needs, investing in education, improving health outcomes and improving service delivery.”
“The ANC reiterates its commitment in its 2021 manifesto to ensure that its public representatives and agents provide essential services to the communities that are part of their remit and to fill critical vacancies with qualified personnel. I guarantee that I will be held responsible.”
On the issue of clean water provision, the ANC urges national and local governments to provide clean water where local governments are struggling to provide adequate services, build maintenance capacity and complete water infrastructure projects. He said it would give him further powers to intervene.
Turning to the scourge of crime, the ANC will modernize policing by increasing the number of frontline officers to combat cybercrime, essential infrastructure crime, illegal firearms, gang violence, organized crime, human trafficking, drug trafficking and corruption. Said to develop the ability. It would also provide the Hawks with additional capabilities to tackle organized crime.
