Speeches & Remarks

Speeches & Remarks

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA, H.E. MR CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, TO THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Madame President of the 73rd Session of UN General Assembly, Ms María Fernanda Espinosa,
Secretary General, Mr António Guterres,
Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
Majesties,
Heads of Delegation,
Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentleman,

I have the honour to address this august body, the United Nations General Assembly for the first time as President of the Republic of South Africa.

It is nearly a quarter of a century since the founding father of our democracy, President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela stood at this podium to declare that:

“The millions across our globe who stand expectant at the gates of hope look to this organisation [the United Nations], to bring them peace, to bring them life, to bring them a life worth living.”

As we mark the centenary of the birth of this great global leader, we are bound to ask whether the United Nations has met the needs and the expectations of the millions who stand at the gates of hope.

We are bound to ask what contribution the United Nations has made to a more peaceful, more prosperous and more equal world.

More importantly, we are called upon to ask – as we did yesterday during the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit – what the United Nations and the assembled global leadership must do to secure lasting peace, reconciliation and stability across the globe.

Allow me to express the deep gratitude of the government and the people of South Africa to the international community for convening the Peace Summit to honour the memory of Nelson Mandela and advance his legacy.

We applaud the Political Declaration of the Summit, which recognises the period from 2019 to 2028 as the Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace.

This reflects a new and sincere commitment by the world’s leaders to comprehensively advance peace and security and resolve all conflicts and wars.

To succeed in giving effect to this commitment, the UN must become what billions of people across the world want it to be – a representative and truly democratic global parliament of the people.

Throughout its seven decades, the UN has been a source of hope for the oppressed, exploited and poor.

During the dark days of colonialism and apartheid, we drew strength, inspiration and encouragement from the UN and its Charter in our quest for self-determination.

With the support of the UN, we were able 24 years ago to bring an end to the nightmare of apartheid.

Nelson Mandela led us to freedom and gave us the great opportunity to transform our country.

We have embarked on a journey of transformation, and work is in progress to deal with the ugly legacy of apartheid.

Madiba’s vision continues to guide us as we seek to improve the lives of our people in many respects, through improving the educational outcomes of our youth and transforming an economy that was constituted to serve the interests of a few.

We have started a comprehensive dialogue on the question of land reform, which is guided by our Constitution and the rule of law as we seek ways to ensure that the land is shared among all who work it, as set out in our Freedom Charter.

Even as our country is going through difficult economic challenges we have made progress.

We are reforming our economy and creating an environment that is conducive to investment, and have embarked on an investment drive to attract $100 billion dollars in the next five years.

To the poor, vulnerable, and marginalised, the UN today is a beacon of promise in a landscape of doubt.

To billions across the world, the UN is the most powerful instrument we possess to achieve a more equal, more humane and more inclusive world.

They are men and women with dreams and aspirations that transcend the hardships of the present, who want to contribute to a new global civilization defined by care, justice and solidarity.

They want an end to the greed, ignorance and conceit that is driving the destruction of our only home, the earth.

It is within our hands, as the leaders assembled here today, to forge a more representative, equal and fair United Nations that is empowered and equipped to lead the struggle to end poverty, unemployment and inequality in the world.

We are a young world, where more than half the global population is under the age of 30 years.

This is even more pronounced on our continent, Africa, where two-thirds of its people were not yet born when Nelson Mandela was released from prison.

We are living in the Age of Youth.

This places a responsibility on us, as leaders, not only to put the interests of young people at the centre of our efforts, but also to empower women and young people to be more prominent in directing the course of global affairs.

It is young people who are fighting the wars that we started.

It is women who are bearing the brunt and hardships of the wars that continue to destroy their families and lives.

As we speak, young lives are being lost and futures are being destroyed.

There is an urgency to the measures we must take to end conflict and war.

Not only must we stop the death, destruction and human suffering that is visited daily on millions of people, but we must act with purpose to prevent the loss of another entire generation to its aftermath.

We must accept our shared responsibility – and our shared interest – in ending conflict, and, using the outcomes of the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, to empower the United Nations to be a more effective instrument for mediation, peace keeping and post-conflict reconstruction.

Our resolve to end ongoing conflicts and our determination to root out terrorism must be matched by action and by the appropriate deployment of resources.

We must act with the same urgency to resolve some of the world’s most protracted and intractable disputes.

The fact that the people of Palestine have endured occupation and suffering for nearly as long as the United Nations has existed, makes their plight no less pressing, nor their suffering any less acceptable.

We must similarly intensify our efforts to secure the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination and full national sovereignty.

One of the greatest challenges to the achievement of global prosperity and development is the continued exclusion of millions of women and young people from meaningful economic participation.

It is therefore vital that we deploy every means at our disposal to address youth unemployment and ensure universal access to educational opportunities that are appropriate to the changing world of work.

We need a deliberate programme to ensure that the digital revolution – which carries such great potential for both disruption and empowerment – is effectively harnessed to promote social justice and human progress.

The call to leave no one behind requires that we strengthen the institutions of global governance and make them more responsive to the needs of young people, particularly in the developing world.

Institutions like the United Nations, World Bank, IMF and the WTO need to be reshaped and enhanced so that they may more effectively meet the challenges of the contemporary world and better serve the interests of the poor and marginalised.

Reform of the United Nations, and particularly its Security Council, is a priority if we are to give full effect to the values and principles enshrined in the UN Charter.

We must resist any and all efforts to undermine the multilateral approach to international trade, which is essential to the promotion of stability and predictability in the global economy.

The history of the global economy informs us that no country can prosper at the expense of all others, and that no people can hope to live in comfort and security for as long as millions of others languish in poverty.

It is therefore essential that we take collective responsibility for the development of all nations and for the improvement of the lives of all people.

This responsibility is manifest in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on the financing of development, among others.

Together, they represent our common commitment to tackle poverty, underdevelopment and environmental degradation.

They represent our common commitment to tackle diseases like Aids, tuberculosis, malaria, diabetes and cancer.

Our task as global leaders is to pursue the policies that are required to turn intent into implementation and mobilise the resources needed to turn implementation into impact.

Your Excellencies,

As Africans, we have made significant strides in addressing the challenges that have confronted our continent over many decades.

We continue to vigorously implement our commitments contained in the African Union Agenda 2063, which is our collective plan to rid our continent of underdevelopment, poverty and conflict and improve democratic governance, the rule of law and the promotion of human rights.

We have reached agreement on the establishment of an African Continental Free Trade Area, which will fundamentally transform African economies, giving rise to a new industrial age on the continent.

We are working to silence the guns in Africa by 2020, to bring an end to conflicts that have cost the lives of millions of our people, displaced many more and stunted economic growth and human development.

As the continent with the youngest population in the world, Africa has the potential to be the next great frontier for global growth.

With effective investment in education, improved health care, good governance and greater economic integration, Africa has the potential to develop its productive capacity on a scale and at a rate that will lift tens of millions out of poverty.

The youth of Africa are poised to transform their continent.

As the people of South Africa, we are committed to be part of this transformation.

From the ashes of a system that was described by the UN General Assembly as a crime against humanity, we are building a new democratic nation, united in its diversity.

We are working to correct the injustices of our past and to build a society that is free, inclusive and sustainable.

We are pursuing an economic path that draws on the resources and capabilities of all our people to eradicate poverty, unemployment and inequality.

We are determined through our international relations to be a force for progress and peace and global equality, and will continue to advance the interests of the African continent and the Global South.

Allow me to conclude by once more drawing on the wisdom of Nelson Mandela, when he said: “Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great.”

This is not the generation that will stand expectant at the gates of hope. This is the generation that will change the world. This is their time, and this is their age.

Let their greatness blossom.

I thank you.

 

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, USA
25 SEPTEMBER 2018

 

REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA AT THE UNVEILING OF NELSON MANDELA STATUE

 

Your Excellency, the President of the General Assembly,

Your Excellency, the Secretary-General of the United Nations,

Your Excellencies and Your Majesties,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

For the government and people of South Africa, the enthusiasm with which the international community has embraced the celebration of the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela is truly humbling.

 

The people of our country, united in their diversity, revere Nelson Mandela as the founding father of our democratic nation – whose life, sacrifices and extraordinary contribution to freedom continues to inspire successive generations.

 

For those of us gathered here at the United Nations, Nelson Mandela will forever hold a special place in our hearts because of his dedication to the service of humanity and the promotion of peace throughout the world.

 

The values by which he lived and to which he dedicated his life are universal.

 

We are honoured and grateful that the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit has been convened in his memory.

 

Your Excellency, Secretary-General António Guterres,

 

It gives me great pleasure to present to you and the United Nations, on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, this life-size statue of President Nelson Mandela.

 

We recall with great appreciation and gratitude the leading role of the United Nations in championing the struggle of the South African people against apartheid and in calling for the release of Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners.

 

President Mandela firmly believed that the United Nations was the most valuable and effective instrument for the advancement of peace, development and equality that humanity had conceived.

 

We trust that this statue will remain a constant reminder to the international community of the dedication of Nelson Mandela to the mission of the United Nations and a constant affirmation of South Africa’s commitment to contribute to a better world for all.

 

I thank you.

 

24 SEPTEMBER 2018

NEW YORK, USA

 

Address by His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma, on the occasion of the Launch of InvestSA One Stop Shop (OSS), Southern Sun Cape Sun, Strand Street, Cape Town, Western Cape

08 September 2017

 

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Magwanishe

 

Western Cape Premier, Acting Premier, Mr Winde,

Cape Town Mayor, Ms Patricia De Lille,

Leaders of Government from the three spheres

Captains of Industry and Business

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Ladies and gentlemen

 

Good day to you all!

 

Thank you for joining us on this important occasion, the launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop, Western Cape for all investors. 

 

This important event takes place just as we are all celebrating and welcoming the latest report which shows that our economy grew by 2.5% in the last quarter and that we are out of the technical recession.

 

It indicates that if we focus on doing what is right, concentrating on supporting the sectors that can help us reignite growth, we will see positive results. More good news is that South Africa fared well in the recent World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index 2016-2017, ranking 47th out of 138 countries.

The report shows that South Africa ranked very well in financing through the local equity market, where we ranked first out of 138 countries.

The same report shows that we rank first when measures on the strength of auditing and reporting standards.

We are also first on the protection of minority shareholders’ interests; second of the soundness of our banking system; and third on the regulation of securities exchanges and the efficacy of corporate boards.

These positive results are echoed in the Brand South Africa International Perception Survey 2016 which identified a number of strategic areas for improvement by Government in its investment promotion, facilitation and aftercare efforts. Several private sector reports also indicate that South Africa remains the preferred investment destination on the African continent. We need to build on these positive attributes of our country.

 

We need to work together as government, business and organized labour to ensure that we sustain this positive trajectory.   Creating an environment where the economy can grow, and jobs can be created for our people, comes first for our government. Our people do not need jobs, they need to be able to put food on the table. Young people need jobs, they are sitting at home with degrees and diplomas.

It is for this reason that we are focusing on creating the right environment for investments into the economy, from abroad and from within the country.

The economy must indeed come first to all of us.  It is for this reason that we are establishing the One Stop Shops to make it easier for investors to do business in South Africa. For a long time there have been concerns from the business and investor community that bureaucratic hurdles in the state make investing in South Africa difficult. The launch of InvestSA One Stop Shop for the Western Cape Province this morning is our concrete response as government to these concerns.

 

This launch follows on the footsteps of the launch of the National One Stop Shop in March this year. There will be launches in other provinces in due course. The idea of a One Stop Shop is a simple one: all key regulatory and administrative departments and agencies are housed in a single location to provide an integrated service to investors. This is happening for the first time in our history.

 

The One Stop Shops provide a convenient, professional service for setting up a business. The One Stop Shops are very easy to use for investors.

All an investor needs to do is to make an appointment with the relevant government representative at the One Stop Shop to explain the services required and the government representative provides guidance and support to the investor. From permits to water or electricity services, tax issue, licensing - it should be easy for an investor to get all these services under one roof.

 

Officials at the One Stop Shops are trained and briefed to provide such specialist advisory services. They are meant to help potential investors to find all services under one roof. Our intention is to unblock and reduce red tape in government. 

 

As I have pointed out, all the services each investor needs are available under the same roof.  Key departments such as Home Affairs, Labour, Environmental Affairs, Trade and Industry and agencies such as Companies Intellectual Property Commission, South African Revenue Services, Visa Facilitation Service, are available at the One Stop Shop.

 

This is not only a significant improvement from a fragmented service government used to provide before. But it also works.

Since the launch of the National One Stop Shop on 17 March this year, we have seen a significant improvement in the overall investor facilitation and after service. If we continue in this direction, we will continue to see results and achieve the growth rates envisaged in the National Development Plan. The NDP envisages that the combined investment by the private and public sectors rise from the current levels of around 19% of GDP to 30% of GDP by 2030.

 

This endeavor requires a concerted effort from government across the spheres, the private sector and organized labour. From our part as government, we have established an Inter – Ministerial Committee on Investment comprising of 18 Cabinet Ministers to oversee our overall investment policy, coordination and alignment including the investment climate and marketing of South Africa as an investment destination.

 

Government will continue to work hard to improve the investment climate in our country so that we can kick-start the growth of our economy. It is not only foreign investors that we seek to attract to invest into our economy. We also seek to encourage domestic investors to also do the same.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

We are aware as government that investors, both foreign and domestic, as well as other business owners share concerns about the state of our economy. These concerns include the continued slow economic growth, rising government debt, and poor performance by some State Owned Companies and Enterprises. We share these concerns are our concerns too, and we are taking steps to address them.

 

We are accelerating the implementation of the National Development Plan because we believe that it is the only plan that will lead us to inclusive growth and help us create jobs. Noting the difficult economic conditions we face, I convened a meeting of the Economic Cluster Ministers at the end of June this year to assess the situation and to formulate concrete measures to turn the situation around.

 

I called the meeting to also communicate to the Ministers that we need to act with a strong measure of urgency.  It is simply not sufficient to say we have the NDP anymore. We need to move faster to implement it. The meeting agreed on clear implementation timelines for the key structural reforms related to the Nine-Point Plan to reignite economic growth. The Nine Point Plan prioritises action in a number of areas. There is an increased focus on industrialization, mining and beneficiation, agriculture and agro-processing, energy, small, medium as well as micro enterprises (SMMEs), attracting investments, growing the oceans economy and tourism.

 

In addition to this, cross-cutting areas such as science and technology, water and sanitation, infrastructure, transport infrastructure and broadband roll-out have also been prioritized. We also have a specific programme focusing on the development of black industrialists, as part of promoting radical socio-economic transformation.

 

This initiative aims to expand the industrial base of the country and grow the economy through bringing in the majority to real productive sectors such as manufacturing. The economic cluster has produced measures to add impetus to the Nine Point Plan. The Minister of Finance, Mr Malusi Gigaba, has announced some of these measures. Others will be announced when he delivers the mid-term policy statement next month.

 

We should also accept that the challenges that our economy faces do not mean that everything is not working well. Our country is doing well on many fronts and life is improving for many people on a daily basis, as basic services are extended on an ongoing basis.

 

We need to unite as South Africans and put our country first. We have added responsibilities this year as we chair SADC and BRICS. The eyes of the continent and the world are therefore on us, waiting for us to continue doing what we are known for, as a nation that can find solutions to even the most difficult of problems.

 

Yesterday I returned from China where I, together with several Ministers and a South African business delegation, participated at the 9th BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China. This was an important Summit in many respects. The BRICS partnership will be entering its second decade of existence next year. Since its launch, BRICS has made many strides, including the establishment of the New Development Bank whose Africa Regional Centre we launched a few weeks ago in Johannesburg.The New Development Bank and BRICS in general offer us an opportunity to engage the world and develop our economy on terms that are fairer and less hostile. The New Development Bank has started lending money for infrastructure development. All of us will soon notice the benefits of our participation in BRICS. I invite business to engage with BRICS by participating in its institutions and by forming partnerships with their counterparts from BRICS countries.

 

Programme Director,

The launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop – Western Cape is a significant demonstration of how Government can effectively work together at all three spheres. The National One Stop Shop will be linked to and support the provincial One Stop Shops. Before the end of this year there will be launches of One Stop Shops in Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng. InvestSA will continue supporting the operational functions of the established One Stop Shops through effective monitoring engagements.

 

I urge the investment community to make use of these services and look forward to seeing the positive impact of the One Stop Shops to inclusive economic growth across the country.It is through collaboration and alignment of action that we can add to this spirit of progress outlined in the NDP.

 

I also wish to reiterate that we must unite as government, business and labour and send one message of hope to the country. A lot of good work is being done. The launch of these centres is among the progress that is being made with regards to creating the right investment climate to create jobs.

 

Let me congratulate the dti, the Western Cape Government and other stakeholders for getting this project off the ground successfully. The people of the Western Cape need jobs and this project will help to achieve those goals.

 

Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate the Mayor of Cape Town for the MoU that was signed recently by Cape Town and New York City in the USA, which is aimed at promoting tourism and people to people exchanges between Cape Town and New York City.

 

Tourism is one of the key sectors for job creation. We need more and more tourists from all the key markets in the world.

 

It is my pleasure to declare this Western Cape Investor One Stop Shop Centre officially open!

 

I thank you.

 

Issued by The Presidency

Pretoria

 

www.thepresidency.gov.za

 

 

Address by His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma, on the occasion of the Launch of InvestSA One Stop Shop (OSS), Southern Sun Cape Sun, Strand Street, Cape Town, Western Cape

08 September 2017

 

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Magwanishe

 

Western Cape Premier, Acting Premier, Mr Winde,

Cape Town Mayor, Ms Patricia De Lille,

Leaders of Government from the three spheres

Captains of Industry and Business

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Ladies and gentlemen

 

Good day to you all!

 

Thank you for joining us on this important occasion, the launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop, Western Cape for all investors. 

 

This important event takes place just as we are all celebrating and welcoming the latest report which shows that our economy grew by 2.5% in the last quarter and that we are out of the technical recession.

 

It indicates that if we focus on doing what is right, concentrating on supporting the sectors that can help us reignite growth, we will see positive results. More good news is that South Africa fared well in the recent World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index 2016-2017, ranking 47th out of 138 countries.

The report shows that South Africa ranked very well in financing through the local equity market, where we ranked first out of 138 countries.

The same report shows that we rank first when measures on the strength of auditing and reporting standards.

We are also first on the protection of minority shareholders’ interests; second of the soundness of our banking system; and third on the regulation of securities exchanges and the efficacy of corporate boards.

These positive results are echoed in the Brand South Africa International Perception Survey 2016 which identified a number of strategic areas for improvement by Government in its investment promotion, facilitation and aftercare efforts. Several private sector reports also indicate that South Africa remains the preferred investment destination on the African continent. We need to build on these positive attributes of our country.

 

We need to work together as government, business and organized labour to ensure that we sustain this positive trajectory.   Creating an environment where the economy can grow, and jobs can be created for our people, comes first for our government. Our people do not need jobs, they need to be able to put food on the table. Young people need jobs, they are sitting at home with degrees and diplomas.

It is for this reason that we are focusing on creating the right environment for investments into the economy, from abroad and from within the country.

The economy must indeed come first to all of us.  It is for this reason that we are establishing the One Stop Shops to make it easier for investors to do business in South Africa. For a long time there have been concerns from the business and investor community that bureaucratic hurdles in the state make investing in South Africa difficult. The launch of InvestSA One Stop Shop for the Western Cape Province this morning is our concrete response as government to these concerns.

 

This launch follows on the footsteps of the launch of the National One Stop Shop in March this year. There will be launches in other provinces in due course. The idea of a One Stop Shop is a simple one: all key regulatory and administrative departments and agencies are housed in a single location to provide an integrated service to investors. This is happening for the first time in our history.

 

The One Stop Shops provide a convenient, professional service for setting up a business. The One Stop Shops are very easy to use for investors.

All an investor needs to do is to make an appointment with the relevant government representative at the One Stop Shop to explain the services required and the government representative provides guidance and support to the investor. From permits to water or electricity services, tax issue, licensing - it should be easy for an investor to get all these services under one roof.

 

Officials at the One Stop Shops are trained and briefed to provide such specialist advisory services. They are meant to help potential investors to find all services under one roof. Our intention is to unblock and reduce red tape in government. 

 

As I have pointed out, all the services each investor needs are available under the same roof.  Key departments such as Home Affairs, Labour, Environmental Affairs, Trade and Industry and agencies such as Companies Intellectual Property Commission, South African Revenue Services, Visa Facilitation Service, are available at the One Stop Shop.

 

This is not only a significant improvement from a fragmented service government used to provide before. But it also works.

Since the launch of the National One Stop Shop on 17 March this year, we have seen a significant improvement in the overall investor facilitation and after service. If we continue in this direction, we will continue to see results and achieve the growth rates envisaged in the National Development Plan. The NDP envisages that the combined investment by the private and public sectors rise from the current levels of around 19% of GDP to 30% of GDP by 2030.

 

This endeavor requires a concerted effort from government across the spheres, the private sector and organized labour. From our part as government, we have established an Inter – Ministerial Committee on Investment comprising of 18 Cabinet Ministers to oversee our overall investment policy, coordination and alignment including the investment climate and marketing of South Africa as an investment destination.

 

Government will continue to work hard to improve the investment climate in our country so that we can kick-start the growth of our economy. It is not only foreign investors that we seek to attract to invest into our economy. We also seek to encourage domestic investors to also do the same.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

We are aware as government that investors, both foreign and domestic, as well as other business owners share concerns about the state of our economy. These concerns include the continued slow economic growth, rising government debt, and poor performance by some State Owned Companies and Enterprises. We share these concerns are our concerns too, and we are taking steps to address them.

 

We are accelerating the implementation of the National Development Plan because we believe that it is the only plan that will lead us to inclusive growth and help us create jobs. Noting the difficult economic conditions we face, I convened a meeting of the Economic Cluster Ministers at the end of June this year to assess the situation and to formulate concrete measures to turn the situation around.

 

I called the meeting to also communicate to the Ministers that we need to act with a strong measure of urgency.  It is simply not sufficient to say we have the NDP anymore. We need to move faster to implement it. The meeting agreed on clear implementation timelines for the key structural reforms related to the Nine-Point Plan to reignite economic growth. The Nine Point Plan prioritises action in a number of areas. There is an increased focus on industrialization, mining and beneficiation, agriculture and agro-processing, energy, small, medium as well as micro enterprises (SMMEs), attracting investments, growing the oceans economy and tourism.

 

In addition to this, cross-cutting areas such as science and technology, water and sanitation, infrastructure, transport infrastructure and broadband roll-out have also been prioritized. We also have a specific programme focusing on the development of black industrialists, as part of promoting radical socio-economic transformation.

 

This initiative aims to expand the industrial base of the country and grow the economy through bringing in the majority to real productive sectors such as manufacturing. The economic cluster has produced measures to add impetus to the Nine Point Plan. The Minister of Finance, Mr Malusi Gigaba, has announced some of these measures. Others will be announced when he delivers the mid-term policy statement next month.

 

We should also accept that the challenges that our economy faces do not mean that everything is not working well. Our country is doing well on many fronts and life is improving for many people on a daily basis, as basic services are extended on an ongoing basis.

 

We need to unite as South Africans and put our country first. We have added responsibilities this year as we chair SADC and BRICS. The eyes of the continent and the world are therefore on us, waiting for us to continue doing what we are known for, as a nation that can find solutions to even the most difficult of problems.

 

Yesterday I returned from China where I, together with several Ministers and a South African business delegation, participated at the 9th BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China. This was an important Summit in many respects. The BRICS partnership will be entering its second decade of existence next year. Since its launch, BRICS has made many strides, including the establishment of the New Development Bank whose Africa Regional Centre we launched a few weeks ago in Johannesburg.The New Development Bank and BRICS in general offer us an opportunity to engage the world and develop our economy on terms that are fairer and less hostile. The New Development Bank has started lending money for infrastructure development. All of us will soon notice the benefits of our participation in BRICS. I invite business to engage with BRICS by participating in its institutions and by forming partnerships with their counterparts from BRICS countries.

 

Programme Director,

The launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop – Western Cape is a significant demonstration of how Government can effectively work together at all three spheres. The National One Stop Shop will be linked to and support the provincial One Stop Shops. Before the end of this year there will be launches of One Stop Shops in Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng. InvestSA will continue supporting the operational functions of the established One Stop Shops through effective monitoring engagements.

 

I urge the investment community to make use of these services and look forward to seeing the positive impact of the One Stop Shops to inclusive economic growth across the country.It is through collaboration and alignment of action that we can add to this spirit of progress outlined in the NDP.

 

I also wish to reiterate that we must unite as government, business and labour and send one message of hope to the country. A lot of good work is being done. The launch of these centres is among the progress that is being made with regards to creating the right investment climate to create jobs.

 

Let me congratulate the dti, the Western Cape Government and other stakeholders for getting this project off the ground successfully. The people of the Western Cape need jobs and this project will help to achieve those goals.

 

Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate the Mayor of Cape Town for the MoU that was signed recently by Cape Town and New York City in the USA, which is aimed at promoting tourism and people to people exchanges between Cape Town and New York City.

 

Tourism is one of the key sectors for job creation. We need more and more tourists from all the key markets in the world.

 

It is my pleasure to declare this Western Cape Investor One Stop Shop Centre officially open!

 

I thank you.

 

Issued by The Presidency

Pretoria

 

www.thepresidency.gov.za

 

 

Address by His Excellency, President Jacob Zuma, on the occasion of the Launch of InvestSA One Stop Shop (OSS), Southern Sun Cape Sun, Strand Street, Cape Town, Western Cape

08 September 2017

 

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Magwanishe

 

Western Cape Premier, Acting Premier, Mr Winde,

Cape Town Mayor, Ms Patricia De Lille,

Leaders of Government from the three spheres

Captains of Industry and Business

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Ladies and gentlemen

 

Good day to you all!

 

Thank you for joining us on this important occasion, the launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop, Western Cape for all investors. 

 

This important event takes place just as we are all celebrating and welcoming the latest report which shows that our economy grew by 2.5% in the last quarter and that we are out of the technical recession.

 

It indicates that if we focus on doing what is right, concentrating on supporting the sectors that can help us reignite growth, we will see positive results. More good news is that South Africa fared well in the recent World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index 2016-2017, ranking 47th out of 138 countries.

The report shows that South Africa ranked very well in financing through the local equity market, where we ranked first out of 138 countries.

The same report shows that we rank first when measures on the strength of auditing and reporting standards.

We are also first on the protection of minority shareholders’ interests; second of the soundness of our banking system; and third on the regulation of securities exchanges and the efficacy of corporate boards.

These positive results are echoed in the Brand South Africa International Perception Survey 2016 which identified a number of strategic areas for improvement by Government in its investment promotion, facilitation and aftercare efforts.

Several private sector reports also indicate that South Africa remains the preferred investment destination on the African continent. We need to build on these positive attributes of our country.

 

We need to work together as government, business and organized labour to ensure that we sustain this positive trajectory.   Creating an environment where the economy can grow, and jobs can be created for our people, comes first for our government. Our people do not need jobs, they need to be able to put food on the table. Young people need jobs, they are sitting at home with degrees and diplomas.

It is for this reason that we are focusing on creating the right environment for investments into the economy, from abroad and from within the country.

The economy must indeed come first to all of us.  It is for this reason that we are establishing the One Stop Shops to make it easier for investors to do business in South Africa.

For a long time there have been concerns from the business and investor community that bureaucratic hurdles in the state make investing in South Africa difficult.

The launch of InvestSA One Stop Shop for the Western Cape Province this morning is our concrete response as government to these concerns.

 

This launch follows on the footsteps of the launch of the National One Stop Shop in March this year. There will be launches in other provinces in due course. The idea of a One Stop Shop is a simple one: all key regulatory and administrative departments and agencies are housed in a single location to provide an integrated service to investors. This is happening for the first time in our history.

 

The One Stop Shops provide a convenient, professional service for setting up a business. The One Stop Shops are very easy to use for investors.

All an investor needs to do is to make an appointment with the relevant government representative at the One Stop Shop to explain the services required and the government representative provides guidance and support to the investor. From permits to water or electricity services, tax issue, licensing - it should be easy for an investor to get all these services under one roof.

 

Officials at the One Stop Shops are trained and briefed to provide such specialist advisory services. They are meant to help potential investors to find all services under one roof. Our intention is to unblock and reduce red tape in government. 

 

As I have pointed out, all the services each investor needs are available under the same roof.  Key departments such as Home Affairs, Labour, Environmental Affairs, Trade and Industry and agencies such as Companies Intellectual Property Commission, South African Revenue Services, Visa Facilitation Service, are available at the One Stop Shop.

 

This is not only a significant improvement from a fragmented service government used to provide before. But it also works.

Since the launch of the National One Stop Shop on 17 March this year, we have seen a significant improvement in the overall investor facilitation and after service.

 

If we continue in this direction, we will continue to see results and achieve the growth rates envisaged in the National Development Plan. The NDP envisages that the combined investment by the private and public sectors rise from the current levels of around 19% of GDP to 30% of GDP by 2030.

 

This endeavor requires a concerted effort from government across the spheres, the private sector and organized labour. From our part as government, we have established an Inter – Ministerial Committee on Investment comprising of 18 Cabinet Ministers to oversee our overall investment policy, coordination and alignment including the investment climate and marketing of South Africa as an investment destination.

 

Government will continue to work hard to improve the investment climate in our country so that we can kick-start the growth of our economy. It is not only foreign investors that we seek to attract to invest into our economy. We also seek to encourage domestic investors to also do the same.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

We are aware as government that investors, both foreign and domestic, as well as other business owners share concerns about the state of our economy.

 

These concerns include the continued slow economic growth, rising government debt, and poor performance by some State Owned Companies and Enterprises. We share these concerns are our concerns too, and we are taking steps to address them.

 

We are accelerating the implementation of the National Development Plan because we believe that it is the only plan that will lead us to inclusive growth and help us create jobs. Noting the difficult economic conditions we face, I convened a meeting of the Economic Cluster Ministers at the end of June this year to assess the situation and to formulate concrete measures to turn the situation around.

 

I called the meeting to also communicate to the Ministers that we need to act with a strong measure of urgency.  It is simply not sufficient to say we have the NDP anymore. We need to move faster to implement it. The meeting agreed on clear implementation timelines for the key structural reforms related to the Nine-Point Plan to reignite economic growth. The Nine Point Plan prioritises action in a number of areas. There is an increased focus on industrialization, mining and beneficiation, agriculture and agro-processing, energy, small, medium as well as micro enterprises (SMMEs), attracting investments, growing the oceans economy and tourism.

 

In addition to this, cross-cutting areas such as science and technology, water and sanitation, infrastructure, transport infrastructure and broadband roll-out have also been prioritized. We also have a specific programme focusing on the development of black industrialists, as part of promoting radical socio-economic transformation.

 

This initiative aims to expand the industrial base of the country and grow the economy through bringing in the majority to real productive sectors such as manufacturing. The economic cluster has produced measures to add impetus to the Nine Point Plan. The Minister of Finance, Mr Malusi Gigaba, has announced some of these measures. Others will be announced when he delivers the mid-term policy statement next month.

 

We should also accept that the challenges that our economy faces do not mean that everything is not working well. Our country is doing well on many fronts and life is improving for many people on a daily basis, as basic services are extended on an ongoing basis.

 

We need to unite as South Africans and put our country first. We have added responsibilities this year as we chair SADC and BRICS. The eyes of the continent and the world are therefore on us, waiting for us to continue doing what we are known for, as a nation that can find solutions to even the most difficult of problems.

 

Yesterday I returned from China where I, together with several Ministers and a South African business delegation, participated at the 9th BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China. This was an important Summit in many respects. The BRICS partnership will be entering its second decade of existence next year. Since its launch, BRICS has made many strides, including the establishment of the New Development Bank whose Africa Regional Centre we launched a few weeks ago in Johannesburg.The New Development Bank and BRICS in general offer us an opportunity to engage the world and develop our economy on terms that are fairer and less hostile. The New Development Bank has started lending money for infrastructure development. All of us will soon notice the benefits of our participation in BRICS. I invite business to engage with BRICS by participating in its institutions and by forming partnerships with their counterparts from BRICS countries.

 

Programme Director,

The launch of the InvestSA One Stop Shop – Western Cape is a significant demonstration of how Government can effectively work together at all three spheres. The National One Stop Shop will be linked to and support the provincial One Stop Shops. Before the end of this year there will be launches of One Stop Shops in Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng. InvestSA will continue supporting the operational functions of the established One Stop Shops through effective monitoring engagements.

 

I urge the investment community to make use of these services and look forward to seeing the positive impact of the One Stop Shops to inclusive economic growth across the country.It is through collaboration and alignment of action that we can add to this spirit of progress outlined in the NDP.

 

I also wish to reiterate that we must unite as government, business and labour and send one message of hope to the country. A lot of good work is being done. The launch of these centres is among the progress that is being made with regards to creating the right investment climate to create jobs.

 

Let me congratulate the dti, the Western Cape Government and other stakeholders for getting this project off the ground successfully. The people of the Western Cape need jobs and this project will help to achieve those goals.

 

Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate the Mayor of Cape Town for the MoU that was signed recently by Cape Town and New York City in the USA, which is aimed at promoting tourism and people to people exchanges between Cape Town and New York City.

 

Tourism is one of the key sectors for job creation. We need more and more tourists from all the key markets in the world.

 

It is my pleasure to declare this Western Cape Investor One Stop Shop Centre officially open!

 

I thank you.

 

Issued by The Presidency

Pretoria

 

www.thepresidency.gov.za