“We need Africans to stop being pessimistic about their continent and to be the leading spokespersons and ambassadors,” Zuma said in a speech prepared for delivery at the fourth International Trade and Investment Conference at Sun City, in North West.  

“If we do not believe what we see and experience, the rise of our beloved motherland, why should the rest of the world?” he asked.

In 2010, 42% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population was younger than 14-years-old, and by 2050, the continent would be home to one in five of the planet’s young people, he said.

Africa would by then have the demographic edge in terms of energetic, increasingly educated young people.

It was predicted that Africa would have the world’s largest work force of 1.2 billion by then, and in that year, one in four workers in the world would be African.

Zuma said this compared with one in eight from China, reversing the present balance.  

He was opening the conference, which is hosted by the department of trade and industry.

Zuma said around two thirds of governments in Africa were democratically elected, compared with just eight in 1991.

Six of the world’s fastest 10 growing economies were African and in eight of the past 10 years, Africa had grown faster than East Asia.

Zuma said the continent had a long way to go in terms of sanitation and health provision, but that progress was being made economically.

This would produce the resources needed to achieve economic growth and improve the quality of life.

Many reports were predicting the rise of Africa, but some investors were still hesitant, said Zuma.

“What is left is for the business sector to grab the opportunity and reap the rewards of this growth, in a manner that promotes inclusive growth, and which creates decent work for the African people.” 

The spread of good governance and peace gave entrepreneurs the environment to turn ideas into major projects.

“I challenge all Africans today, to accept the fact that their continent is changing,” Zuma said.

“They must release themselves from the shackles of self-doubt and celebrate these new developments.”

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Tue May 21 18:36:08 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 11, 2012

RobinH

You want us to stop being pessimistic? Then you and your mates stop f*cking everything up!
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Apr 11, 2012

CheeseBoy

eh jacob we will be optimistic when everyone of you so called struggle liberation heros is dead and buried. then africa will stand a chance.then we will be optimitic. as long as you so called thieving and corrupt liberation heros is still alive we have nothing to be optimistic about.
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Apr 11, 2012

tsayaya

Zuma said the continent had a long way to go in terms of sanitation and health provision, but that progress was being made economically.
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how ironic that you and your family rose from rags to riches in less than two years (none of them could borrow you R10 for car wash in 2008, you had to borrow from Shaik), currently every one in your family is at least a millionaire!




“I challenge all Africans today, to accept the fact that their continent is changing,” Zuma said.
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whereas you failed to challenge your 783 charges of corruption in a court of law
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Apr 11, 2012

MissBhakajuju

@RobinH
@CheeseBoy

Wait until, his mistress DJWinner responds to you. LOL
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Apr 11, 2012

RobinH

MissBhakajuju: He he. Yip. No problem though. He's a lightweight.

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Apr 11, 2012

CheeseBoy

@MissBhakajuju
lol I know. looking to hear what JZ's biggest defender has to say.
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Apr 11, 2012

DJWinner

Well said Mr. President.

@MissBhakajuju...I'm not gay_. Bring your punanny and 4 extra large condoms here so I can show you.....
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Apr 11, 2012

Nwanawamukalaha

Wrong platform sir "Dictator". Preach that gospel when addressing African Union and SADEC.
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Apr 11, 2012

DJWinner

@tsayaya...Actually the political interference prevented him being tested in court. There are tapes to prove it.
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Apr 11, 2012

RobinH

DJW: "Actually the political interference prevented him being tested in court. There are tapes to prove it" And who has heard those tapes or seen them? And political interference from whom? Oh my, you are funny!
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