Defiant Ramaphosa insists govt making headway amid tongue lashing by MPs
President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended government's efforts in dealing with economic recovery, the Covid-19 crisis and rampant corruption.
This comes after members of Parliament slammed Ramaphosa's administration for the slow progress in meeting its targets.
Ramaphosa delivered the presidency's budget vote at the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, but MPs weren't impressed, also taking him to task for the rising unemployment, poverty, and inadequate housing.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema cranked up the pressure on the African National Congress-led government over the impasse on the land debate.
In his response on Thursday, Ramaphosa didn't deny there were still some cracks.
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"It is true that 5 million subsidised houses and housing opportunities have been provided for the poor since 1994, but still millions of people live in informal settlements. It is true that the proportion of homes with access to water has increased from around 60 percent in 1994 to 88 per cent today, but still, many do not have access to a reliable supply of water or sanitation.
"It is true that the murder rate per capita has nearly halved in the last 25 years, but still communities are ravaged by crime, gangsterism and violence. It is true that 6 million more people are employed now than 25 years ago, but it is also true that in the first quarter of this year the unemployment rate in our country reached its highest level ever.
"This reality demonstrates the enormous burden of our fractured past, of the depth of deprivation, disempowerment and deliberate neglect. It demonstrates how difficult it has been to break the cycle of poverty.
"But we are not only grappling with the undeniable effects of our past."
He added the Covid-19 pandemic had further slowed progress.
"It has made South Africans poorer; it has made hunger more widespread, and it has directly affected the health and well-being of hundreds of thousands of people. It has made the task of growing an inclusive economy and transforming our society that much more difficult.
"But it is equally important that we recognise that our own weaknesses and shortcomings have hampered the task of building a new society and achieving a better life for all."
Ramaphosa also told MPs that government had made some headway in its policies and recovery plans.
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"We are now seeing signs that the focus of this administration on economic reform – which began before the pandemic – is steadily but surely paying off.
"Most economists and agencies have adjusted their growth projections for South Africa, including the International Monetary Fund, which has revised upwards from 2.8 percent to 3.1 percent for this year. According to the South African Reserve Bank's first Financial Stability Review for this year, released last week, our economy continues to rebound from last year's recession, albeit at different rates across sectors.
"By a number of indicators, economic activity is returning to pre-pandemic levels at an encouraging pace," he said.
Despite having spoken about the cloud hanging over Health Minister Zweli Mkhize in the budget vote on Wednesday, Ramaphosa didn't respond to the growing criticism and calls for Mkhize to step aside pending investigations into his alleged involvement in the Digital Vibes tender.
