Job creation, new investment and energy key features of Ramaphosa's OPA
President Cyril Ramaphosa also praised the Government of National Unity (GNU) for coming together despite their differences and committing to an inclusive society.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation with his Opening of Parliament address at City Hall in Cape Town on 18 July 2024. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially opened the seventh administration, delivering the Opening of Parliament Address focusing on job creation and growing the economy.
Ramaphosa also praised the Government of National Unity (GNU) for coming together despite their differences and committing to an inclusive society.
MPs from all parties, especially those in the GNU, applauded Ramaphosa as he touched on key commitments in his opening address.
New investment, job creation and energy featured quite prominently in the president's opening address, which started slightly earlier than scheduled.
Ramaphosa: We will put in place systems to ensure that capable and qualified people are appointed to senior positions in municipalities. #OPA2024
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 18, 2024
Ramaphosa: We will complete the most consequential transformation of South Africa’s electricity industry in more than a century. There's been tremendous progress in reducing the severity of load shedding since the Energy Action Plan was introduced in 2022. #OPA2024
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 18, 2024
Ramaphosa: We will complete the most consequential transformation of South Africa’s electricity industry in more than a century. There's been tremendous progress in reducing the severity of load shedding since the Energy Action Plan was introduced in 2022. #OPA2024
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 18, 2024
But there was no Tintswalo theme, like in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February, and also no disruptions like we saw during last year’s SONA where the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) stormed the stage.
But he did touch on some of the same issues like job creation and growing the economy.
"Our experience over the past 30 years has shown that when our economy grows, jobs are created. When our economy contracts there is no job creation and jobs are lost.
"The Government of National Unity will pursue every action that contributes to sustainable, rapid economic growth and remove every obstacle that stands in the way of growth."
While parties have already detailed their expectations over the past week, they will be debating Ramaphosa’s speech on Friday morning before the president responds again on Monday.