Babalo Ndenze19 July 2024 | 4:25

New investment, job creation central themes for GNU - Ramaphosa

Delivering his Opening of Parliament address on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the GNU would also intensify its investment drive at it tries to create more jobs in various sectors for South Africans.

New investment, job creation central themes for GNU - Ramaphosa

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 officially opened the seventh administration on Thursday, delivering an Opening of Parliament (OPA) address with a focus 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.

Members of Parliament (MPs) from all parties, especially those in the GNU applauded Ramaphosa as he outlined his government's key commitments in his opening address.

READ: Ramaphosa calls on South Africans to rally behind Government of National Unity 

Ramaphosa said new investment and job creation would be central themes over the next five years for his ten-party GNU.

Ramaphosa said the GNU would also intensify its investment drive as it tries to create more jobs in various sectors for South Africans.

“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 the Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the GNU’s focus on growth and job creation, opposition parties are expected to pick apart Ramaphosa’s speech when MPs debate the opening address on Friday.