The key points addressed in SONA2015
Among the key steps forward taken by the government for the year ahead, was the adoption of the nine-point plan
The key issues addressed focused mainly around three things:
Energy: President Jacob Zuma did not beat around the bush when it came down to the energy concerns of the country.
He believed establishing the finances of electricicty suppliers, Eskom was a priority and the group would be given R23 billion to do so in the next fiscal year.
He acknowledged South Africa was experiencing serious energy constraints.
“These issues are an impediment to economic growth, and are a major inconvenience to everyone in the country.”
From hyrdo-electric energy, to gas-mining and the continued development of nuclear energy, Zuma said the cabinet was working ‘around the clock’ to source and establish these energy structures in the country.
The possibility of hydraulic fracturing in the future was mention, as Zuma delved lightly into the Karoo’s gas supply.
Stating the country’s economy needed a major push forward, he admitted gravely that the country was at risk of not achieving its growth target of five percent by 2019.
On the bright side, according to a survey released by Stats SA regarding jobs in the country over the last quarter of 2014, 15.3 million people were employed in the country.
“Jobs grew by 203 000.”
Zuma was mandated with a target of six million jobs being created over five years and confidently boasted of the 850 000 ‘work opportunities’ created thus far.
Among the key steps forward taken by the government for the year ahead, was the adoption of the nine-point plan.
This plan consisted of: resolving the energy crisis; revisiting agriculture, advancing the beneficiation of minerals, encouraging private sector investment, more effective implementation of higher impact industrial policy action plan , monitoring workplace conflict, unlocking the potential of small businesses, reform of state owned companies, broad band roll out, water sanitation and transport infrastructure and the introduction of operation Phakisa which aims to grow the ocean economy – such as the shipping and storage of energy products.
He further stated one of the key aspects that needed to be addressed in the issues surrounding land, was readdressing the wrongs of the past.
In his address he confimred foreginers would no longer be allowed to own land in the country, but would be allowed to lease the land on a long-term basis.
“In this regard, the Regulation of Land Holdings Bill will be submitted to Parliament this year,” he said to applause in the National Assembly.
The second window for the lodging of land claims was reopened last year.
Zuma said more then 36,000 land claims had been lodged nationally. The cut-off date is 2019.
In terms of new proposed laws, a ceiling of land ownership would be set at a maximum of 12,000 hectares.
Through the Land Reform programme, more than 90,000 hectares of land had been allocated to small holder farmers, farm dwellers and labour tenants.
Zuma ended his speech with a nod to the South African sports teams, and applause, albeit half the seats had been empty.
