ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections and acknowledged the positive strides made by the governing party in accomplishing its goals set out in the 2019 manifesto.
He was delivering his closing address at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni on Monday, where ANC leaders gathered for a four-day session to strategize ahead of the general elections.
Combatting crime, addressing the energy crisis, and devising strategies to attract voters ahead of the 2024 general elections were among the key topics on the agenda.
Ramaphosa referred to a report by the statistician-general highlighting three major challenges faced by the country: unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
The president commended the significant progress made in reducing poverty levels, particularly in terms of headcount poverty across various geographic levels.
He also noted that the statistician-general’s report showed a decrease from 17.9% to 7%, and the downward trend continues, describing this as a remarkable achievement.
Taking into consideration the country’s history of poverty resulting from colonialism and the oppressive apartheid regime, he urged the nation not to overlook this significant milestone.
“That is quite a significant achievement for a country like ours which bequest poverty through colonialism and apartheid,” he said.
“We have been able to succeed in moving poverty downwards and quite often we live in a situation where we do not pay attention to this … that is phenomenal achievement.”
Ramaphosa acknowledged report findings on the positive impact of social grants in reducing vulnerability to hunger at an individual and household level.
“[The statistician] also touches on the access to healthcare facility [saying that] seven out of 10 households, their first call when they are sick is to go to a public facility. That is also an important achievement.”
Addressing the ongoing power crisis which has over the past few weeks lessened, Ramaphosa acknowledged the toll it has taken on the lives of South Africans and the threat it poses to the economy.
However, he emphasized that the ANC-led government has made improvements in tackling rampant blackouts, stating that electricity now reaches over 90% of the population while 89% of households have access to improved water resources – an achievement only few countries on the continent can boast about.
He also highlighted the need for collaboration to strengthen democracy and grow the country’s economy, expressing confidence that the ANC has laid a solid foundation for the upcoming 2024 general election.
“It is only by working together that we can strengthen our democracy and grow the country’s economy,” said the president.
“We have established a good platform for the ANC to enter the 2024 general election wrapped in victory.
“As we continue work as a nation to create jobs, to end poverty and to build a better life for all, what is clear for us as we draft our new manifesto for the 2024 general election is that many of the key issues set out in 2019, and many of those that will be set out for 2024, can only be achieved if we work together.”
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