It would be safe to assume that millions of South Africans watched on television, or listened on radio to capture the moment when President Jacob Zuma was inaugurated for a second term as the President of the Republic of South Africa on the 24th of May 2014.
When President Zuma assumed the podium and rose to address the nation he did so bolstered by the firm mandate which had been bestowed by millions of South Africans a few weeks prior during the country’s fifth democratic elections.
As he delivered his address, President Zuma spoke passionately of the gigantic strides we have made as a nation. “Today we wish to acknowledge the contribution of every South African to the process of renewal, reconstruction and development of this country in the past 20 years of freedom. It is through your hard work, that we are able to count so many achievements in only 20 years of freedom,” he said.
Despite these successes, South Africa continues to suffer from massive inequality and poverty largely due to the legacy of apartheid. If we are to overcome these challenges we must rise up and deal with them as one nation. The President emphasised that “our work is not yet complete”. These words are a sobering reminder that although much has been achieved, more is yet to be done. In the first term of government the administration prioritised the delivery of infrastructure to accelerate social and economic change.
More than R1 trillion has already been invested in national infrastructure projects between 2009 and 2014, and a further R451 billion was spent between 2004 and 2008. However, the numbers alone do not do justice to the impact of this spending.
Our investments in infrastructure have changed lives by providing access to education, water, electricity, sanitation and transport. It has also unlocked economic development, by laying the foundation for greater and more inclusive economic growth.
With the groundwork firmly in place the time has come to move on to the next phase of socioeconomic transformation. The President said the economic transformation will take a centre-stage during this new term of government as we put the economy on an inclusive growth path.
At the heart of this push for a more inclusive economy lies the National Development Plan (NDP), our roadmap to move South Africa forward by the year 2030. Speaking on the NDP President Zuma outlined how the structure of the economy would be transformed through industrialisation, broad-based black economic empowerment and through strengthening and expanding the role of the state in the economy.
He also emphasised that National Development Plan prioritises the national infrastructure development programme. “We will continue to build schools, railways, ports, universities, clinics, colleges, power stations, broadband, roads and more infrastructure around the country. This programme will continue to be the flagship of government.”
This major drive to transform the socioeconomic landscape is driven by the need to tackle inequality, unemployment and poverty head-on. Few would dispute that our nation has undergone a sea change over the past 20 years. South Africa stands as a beacon of democracy, characterised most notably by our peaceful transition and our subsequent commitment to the rule of law and equality.
Speaking a day after the inauguration, during the announcement of the National Executive President Zuma again reiterated that we have entered the second phase of our transition to a national democratic society. He emphasised that the members of the National Executive, had been tasked with improving and speeding up the implementation of progressive policies and programmes.
We are convinced that the building blocks are in place to tackle the challenges faced by our nation. However, we will only succeed with the backing of a united and cohesive nation behind us as we strive to move South Africa forward.
The first two decades of freedom have been characterised by a commitment to changing the lives of the majority of South Africans. A lot of progress has been made; millions of people now have access to education, housing, water and electricity. These basic social services, which were denied to the majority of people before the dawn of freedom, have served to improve the quality of life.
Government has also moved decisively to grow a more inclusive economy to the benefit of all South Africans. This has given rise to an ever expanding and economically active middle class that is more reflective of the populace of our nation.
However, more must still be done to ensure that everyone will enjoy the benefits of freedom and democracy. The third decade of freedom will thus be defined by a relentless drive to transform and further grow the economy. Government calls on all South Africans to partner with us so that we can together build a winning nation.
Phumla Williams is acting CEO of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
