South African President Jacob Zuma on Saturday said his party is committed to transformation of the economy so as to eliminate poverty, unemployment and inequality in the country.
Addressing a gathering celebrating the 101th birthday of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in Durban, Zuma said his party is fighting hard to remove the legacy of apartheid and decisive action is required to change economic patterns.
"As we enter the second phase of the transition from apartheid colonialism to a national democratic society, we commit ourselves to a programme of action to speed up the elimination of this legacy and bring about socio-economic freedom. We call on government to hasten the implementation of all 18 strategic infrastructure projects, especially those directed at the 23 poorest districts in the country," he said.
South Africa is facing triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality. The government came up with the National Development Plan in 2012 to address these challenges affecting the country.
The president emphasized the need for people to have access to electricity, water, sanitation, education and health facilities.
"Our economy faces skewed patterns of ownership and production. It is characterized by inequality, dualism and marginalization. In addition, the monopoly domination of the economy is an obstacle to the goals of economic transformation, growth and development," Zuma said.
The president also stated that the government would speed up land redistribution in the country, according to a plan to distribute 30 percent of 82 million hectares of land owned by whites in 1994 to blacks by 2014.
Zuma challenged various stalk holders including the private sector, labour, public sector and youth organizations to join hands and fight youth unemployment.
Talking about efforts to fight the HIV epidemic, the president said there has been some success in fighting HIV/AIDS but a lot still needs to be done, added the president. "The rate of new infections has decreased. Mother to child transmission of HIV has also decreased by 50 percent. One point seven million South Africans are on antiretroviral treatment. We call on ANC members to work with communities to further promote the campaign," he said.
These interventions have increased the life expectancy from 56. 5 in 2009 to 60 years in 2011. He encouraged South Africans to strive for peace in the country and eliminate corruption.
On the international front, the president said South Africa will work with other progressive forces to build a new world order.
"We shall continue to pay attention to South-South cooperation and in particular relationships within India-Brazil-South Africa grouping and the Non-Aligned Movement," he said.
"The ANC will start an awareness and educational programme to deepen the understanding of the importance and relevance of BRICS among citizens and in civil society. We support the proposed establishment of the BRICS Bank, for the benefit of south-south development cooperation including Africa's development."
He pledged to work with various organizations like the African Union and the Southern African Development Community.
