“THE country is a much better place today than it was 30 years ago.”
This was said by ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) member Mmamoloko Kubayi during a media briefing at the party's headquarters, Luthuli House in Joburg on Thursday, 29 February.
Kubayi was joined by other NEC members to unpack the priority of the party’s election manifesto which outlines the organisation’s jobs plan.
She said since 1994, Mzansi's economy has been radically transformed and added that the South African working class has, over the years under democracy, secured a fairer labour dispensation and rising wages.
Kubayi said the black middle class, and cadre of black professionals have grown exponentially in wealth and influence with access to land and tenure security for black South Africans in rural areas has increased.
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Kubayi said the ANC-led government is already taking decisive action to resolve the two major infrastructure challenges which are constraining growth, investment, and job creation, namely, load shedding and the inefficiency of rail and ports.
She said they will intensify the implementation of the Energy Action Plan and the recently adopted Rail and Ports Strategy to ensure that "we achieve energy security and a more efficient logistical system".
“The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, has to date, restored operations on 26 out of 40 commuter rail corridors.
“Infrastructure investment will continue to play a central role in stimulating growth. As part of our infrastructure build, we will be undertaking significant water infrastructure projects which include dams, water treatment plants, pump stations and pipes in underserved areas,” she said.
Kubayi said the housing policy will continue to evolve so that they can continue to build more subsidised houses, upgrade informal settlements and provide basic services, build more rental stock for the missing middle and confront urbanisation through the development of integrated human settlements in well located areas.
