ANC must tackle economic growth, says top SA economist
Head of the School of Economics at Wits University, Jannie Rossouw, has advised the ANC to pronounce on steps to be taken to stimulate economic growth.
This as President Jacob Zuma delivered his traditional January 8th statement at the party's 104th birthday in Rustenburg, North-West Province, at the weekend.
The South African Police Force (SAPS) members have had their hands full last week in attempts to maintain law and order after two ANC groups clashed.
Rossouw says bureaucracy in the country has led to weak economic growth and resultant unemployment.
What the ANC needs to do, he says, is to make it attractive and cheaper for people to invest and do business in the country.
"The government is currently on a drive to over-regulate the economy and we need more deregulation of the economy. So statements (during the January 8th event) to that effect would be helpful and of course clarity on implementation plans for the National Development Plans (NDP) would be very helpful," said Rossouw.
NDP aims to address many of the country's challenges including a weakening economy, health, education and rising unemployment rates by 2030.
Rossouw, a trained Economist, has also cautioned the ANC to clarify if President Jacob Zuma will vacate the Presidency by 2019.
"We should not take that as a given.These are uncertain times and there must be a clear commitment that the Constitution in terms of the limitation of terms of the president, will indeed stay in force," he said.
(File photo: Gallo Images)