DA agrees with Ramaphosa that SONA should focus on economic growth and job creation

CAPE TOWN - Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says the Democratic Alliance (DA) agreed with President Cyril Ramaphosa that his State of the Nation Address (SONA) priorities should be around economic growth and job creation.

Ramaphosa is set to deliver the SONA on Thursday evening at the Cape Town City Hall.

Gwarube added that to attain economic growth, the country has to prioritise foundational learning and early childhood development, which will help the country’s economy in the future.

Gwarube is one of six DA ministers in Ramaphosa’s Cabinet and said that Thursday was the perfect opportunity for the president to outline the Government of National Unity (GNU)'s vision for the next year.

Party spokesperson, Karabo Khakhau, told EWN that they expect Ramaphosa to focus on these two primary objectives if the country is to succeed.

Gwarube shared similar sentiments but added that quality basic education was one way of achieving economic success.

"One of the things that I'm hoping the president will really impress upon is the fact that we are in agreement that our priorities are around growth and jobs and we are in agreement in the seventh administration that in order for us to give effect to that, we have to make sure we are focusing on quality education in our country."

Now the party says while the responsibility of creating jobs is with the private sector, the party believes the government’s responsibility is to create an enabling environment if the government of national unity is to succeed.