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"We have gone through a difficult period in our country in the past few weeks with wildcat strikes, one of which tragically claimed the lives of 46 people in Marikana," Zuma said in a speech prepared for delivery in Johannesburg.

"Let me use this opportunity to remind business and labour of the need to ensure shop-floor peace and stability in the country, in order for us to continue the collective responsibility of promoting economic growth and development."

South Africans were renowned for constructive social dialogue, and needed to create an atmosphere conducive to development.

"We should not seek to portray ourselves as a nation that is perpetually fighting."

The average incomes of black South Africans increased by 51 percent between 1993 and 2008, compared to 35 percent for whites, he said.

"Unfortunately, ladies and gentlemen, despite these achievements, the gap between rich and poor still remains. In that case, income inequality is still extremely high in South Africa.

"It has therefore proven difficult and is taking longer to re-engineer the economy to provide opportunities for those who were pushed into impoverished and remote rural areas under apartheid."

The United States, European Union, Middle East and North Africa were experiencing economic difficulties, while Japan was recovering from natural disasters and China was battling with rising food and oil prices.

"These affected countries comprise more than two thirds of South Africa's export market," Zuma said.

The New Growth Path, which sought to create employment and promote growth, was implemented in an attempt to address economic and social challenges facing the country.

"We are confident that our infrastructure build and also our programmes of industrialisation, preferential procurement and localisation will bring new opportunities and partnerships for business.

"Given the economic climate, things will not be smooth or easy.

"But this is a country that is looking forward, and we are all equal to the challenge, business, government, labour, community and all sectors of our society," he said. 

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Wed May 22 10:54:51 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 5, 2012

kgoshimash

so whats the way foward my president, we need solutions not problems
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Oct 5, 2012

seutullamakunutu

Oh please we need someone with insight !!
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Oct 5, 2012

RobinH

Oh illustrious leader, that is so profoundly obvious it is staggering.

as for: "South Africans were renowned for constructive social dialogue,", you are living in an outmoded bubble. Since when is holding the country at gunpoint while indiscriminately murdering colleagues and one-time friends constructive social dialogue, you politician, you. (SA Politician = unscrupulous liar and spineless a s s c r e e p e r)? It seems you are a really slow learner. By now you should have spotted that thinking people in this country are no longer fooled by such blatant chicanerie. Oh but hang, on... sorry, I forgot. You have ceased to appeal to those, relying now on those people you have been depriving of a decent education through sheer incompetence for the last18 years.
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Oct 5, 2012

Mbeva

JZ must go for Economics 101 first before coming with solutions
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