Our Correspondent | Africa Guardian
President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of clear communication and active engagement between the government and business to build trust and ensure that policies reflect on-the-ground realities. Speaking at Business Unity South Africa’s (Busa) Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, Ramaphosa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to partnering with Busa to drive economic growth.
This marked the first Busa AGM since the May elections and the establishment of a Government of National Unity (GNU). Ramaphosa highlighted that deepening the partnership between the government and business is vital for the country’s economic progress.
Busa has previously expressed concerns about the Presidential Health Compact, particularly its endorsement of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act in its current form. Despite such disagreements, Ramaphosa stressed that the success of government-business partnerships hinges on continuous and active engagement.
“While disagreements may arise, they should not deter us from our shared goals. Instead, we must engage in dialogue to find solutions that serve the nation’s best interests,” he said.
Ramaphosa also noted the significant progress made through a collaborative effort launched over a year ago between the government and business, particularly in addressing challenges related to energy, logistics, crime, and corruption. He pointed out that South Africa has gone five consecutive months without load shedding, crediting business for its valuable contributions to this achievement.
Business has played a crucial role in supporting Eskom and the government in implementing the Energy Action Plan by providing resources, capacity, and expertise. Additionally, the government-business partnership has improved the performance of the Eskom fleet.
Through the National Logistics Crisis Committee, business has also contributed to addressing inefficiencies in the transport and logistics sectors, offering technical support and resources to Transnet Freight Rail and Transnet Port Terminals.
Ramaphosa further acknowledged the support from the business sector in the fight against crime and corruption, including efforts to remove South Africa from the Financial Action Task Force grey list. Business has also provided expertise to the National Prosecuting Authority and the Investigating Directorate to manage complex corruption cases.
“The progress we have made demonstrates the value of partnership and underscores Busa’s essential role in building our economy and society. As the Government of National Unity, we are committed to deepening this partnership to create a conducive environment for investment, growth, and job creation,” Ramaphosa concluded.
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