President Ramaphosa's Vision: Jobs And Growth For South Africa

Holifil

31 Mar, 2025

In his State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced measures to boost employment, including a graduate recruitment scheme and a R100 billion Transformation Fund for black-owned small businesses.
Since its launch during the pandemic, the Presidential Employment Stimulus has created over 2.2 million temporary job opportunities, showing the government's commitment to addressing unemployment.
Political analysts from the University of South Africa, Professors Dirk Kotze and Mlungisi Phakathi, shared their insights on the employment strategies outlined in the SONA speech.

With over seven years of experience covering national affairs, Tebogo Mokwena, a journalist for Briefly News, brings you an in-depth look into President Ramaphosa's plans to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mokwena has extensively covered policy changes, parliamentary proceedings, and political news.

Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to boost employment opportunities across South Africa. Image: GCIS Source: Original

Sitting in Cape Town, Western Cape, political analyst Professor Dirk Kotze from the University of South Africa emphasized that creating employment opportunities is a shared responsibility between the public and private sectors. Similarly, Professor Mlungisi Phakathi from UNISA noted that the government needs to focus on empowering local businesses to stimulate job creation. Their insights highlight the importance of collaboration to drive meaningful economic progress.

Employment Focus in SONA 2024

Delivering his first State of the Nation Address since the Government of National Unity was formed after the 2024 elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa outlined job creation as one of the three main priorities of the GNU. To tackle this challenge head-on, the government plans to introduce a graduate recruitment scheme designed to bring young talent into public service roles. This initiative aims to provide meaningful employment opportunities while addressing the skills gap in the public sector.

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In addition to the recruitment scheme, Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a R100 billion Transformation Fund dedicated to funding black-owned small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). This fund represents a significant step towards economic transformation and empowerment. Furthermore, the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which was introduced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, has already created over 2.2 million work and livelihood opportunities. The Social Employment Fund has contributed by creating more than 80,000 additional opportunities. These figures demonstrate the government's ongoing commitment to addressing unemployment in South Africa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation in Cape Town, emphasizing the importance of job creation and economic growth. Image: GCIS Source: Original

Government's Role in Job Creation: Insights from Professor Kotze

Speaking to Briefly News, Professor Dirk Kotze stressed that creating employment is not solely the government's responsibility. He explained that the jobs created through the Presidential Employment Stimulus served as a temporary fix to address immediate needs during the pandemic but are not a sustainable long-term solution.

"The private sector must take the lead in generating long-term employment opportunities. This depends heavily on how the economy grows and expands. A higher economic growth rate naturally leads to more job creation. While government intervention can provide emergency measures, true economic development requires private sector participation," Kotze remarked.

Professor Mlungisi Phakathi also spoke to Briefly News, suggesting that the government should prioritize rural communities by empowering them to own and operate businesses such as clothing and textile shops. This approach could strengthen the township economy and foster sustainable growth. He praised President Ramaphosa for emphasizing the empowerment of women, ensuring they have meaningful participation in the economy. This inclusive approach could lead to broader economic benefits for the nation.

SONA 2025: R940 Billion Investment in Infrastructure

In a related report, Briefly News highlighted President Ramaphosa's announcement of a R940 billion investment in the country's infrastructure over the next five years. Of this amount, R350 billion will be allocated to state-owned enterprises. This massive investment underscores the government's commitment to modernizing and expanding South Africa's infrastructure to support future economic growth.

Professor Kotze noted that building and maintaining infrastructure is a long-term goal requiring strategic planning and execution. The government will focus on upgrading existing infrastructure while also investing in new projects. By doing so, South Africa aims to lay a solid foundation for sustainable development and economic prosperity.