IFP Announces Its Accelerated & Shared Growth Plans For SA

MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
Mr HJ Bekker MP
IFP Spokesperson on Economic Affairs


October 3, 2006

The South African government has once again committed itself to achieve a 7% annual economic growth through the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (AsgiSA), but the Inkatha Freedom Party has identified several reasons why such levels of economic growth could be hampered.

"South Africa faces an unemployment crisis of unprecedented proportions and economic growth of less then 7% is non-negotiable. AsgiSA faces serious challenges such as insufficient leadership and state capacity, lack of competition and the persistent burden of over regulation of small and medium enterprises," said Hennie Bekker

Hennie Bekker added: "It is with these obstacles in mind that the IFP calls on government to strike a better balance between public and private activities and to translate the growth needs of AgsiSA into a more streamline set of economic policies catering for South Africa's immediate and long-term needs."

"In addressing the unemployment crisis the IFP also recommends that more emphasis be placed on practical in-service training, so, that students and trainees enter the corporate world not only armed with tertiary education, but with practical knowledge as well. Furthermore, much more should be done to encourage young people to take up careers as trades' men - such as mechanics, plumbers, boilermakers, welders and builders. South Africa currently doesn't have enough trades' men and therefore job opportunities that become available are often filled by international applicants,"
concluded Mr Bekker.


Contact Details:
Mr HJ Bekker MP 083 255 4520
Liezl van der Merwe 083 611 7470
Email: liezl@ifp.co.za