Revival of the economy
Over the past five years, government has worked to revive the economy from a decade of stagnation and protect it from both domestic and global shocks. Government has made progress. The economy is today three times larger than it was 30 years ago. 
Job creation
The number of South Africans in employment increased from eight million in 1994 to over 16.7 million now. Over the last two years, the number of jobs being created has been increasing every quarter, and we now have more people in employment than before the pandemic. Yet, our unemployment rate is the highest it has ever been. Even as employment is growing, more people are entering the job market each year than jobs are being created.
Economy and investment
Government has laid a foundation for growth through farreaching economic reforms, an ambitious investment drive, and an infrastructure programme that is starting to yield results.
Companies continue to invest, thousands of hectares of farmland are being planted, new factories are being opened and production is being expanded.
Government is on track to resolve the most important constraints on economic growth by stabilising energy supply and fixing the logistics system. As these obstacles are removed, the true potential of the economy is unleashed.
Promoting a green economy
Government is going to set up a Special Economic Zone in the Boegoebaai port to drive investment in green energy. There is a great deal of interest from the private sector to participate in the boom that will be generated green hydrogen energy projects.
Government has decided to support electric vehicle manufacturing in South Africa to grow the automotive sector, which provides good jobs to thousands of workers. It has decided to give special focus to regions like Mpumalanga to enable the creation of new industries, new economic opportunities and sustainable jobs.
And in the past year, government has increased the financing pledges for the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan from around R170 billion to almost R240 billion.
Climate Change Response Fund
To address the persistent effects of global warming, which manifest themselves through persistent floods, fires and droughts, government has decided to establish a Climate Change Response Fund.
This will bring together all spheres of government and the private sector in a collaborative effort to build our resilience and respond to the impacts of climate change.
Improving freight logistics
To deal with severe inefficiencies in the freight logistics system, government is taking action to improve the ports and rail network, and restore them to world-class standards. Government has set out a clear roadmap to stabilise the performance of Transnet and reform the logistics system.
Working closely with business and labour, government has established dedicated teams to turn around five strategic corridors that transport goods for export purposes. 
The number of ships waiting to berth at the Port of Durban – which has experienced severe congestion in recent months – has reduced from more than 60 ships in mid-November to just 12 ships at the end of January.
Transnet has appointed an international terminal operator to help expand and improve its largest terminal at the Port of Durban. Government is overhauling the freight rail system by allowing private rail operators to access the rail network.
With the current conflict in the Middle East affecting shipping traffic through the Suez Canal, South Africa is well positioned to offer bunkering services for ships that will be rerouted via its shores.
VISA system
Just this week, government published new regulations to reform the visa system, which will make it easier to attract the skills that the economy needs, and create a dynamic ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
