The government and organised business have developed a broad plan to urgently work together to address various crises hitting South Africa.
In an “unprecedented” meeting this week, representatives from various business organisations and sectors met with President Cyril Ramaphosa and stakeholders in government under the banner of “removing obstacles to inclusive economic growth and job creation”.
From the meeting, three immediate priority interventions were agreed to, covering energy; transport and logistics; and crime and corruption.
CEOs of South Africa’s largest companies committed to contributing considerable skills and resources and work through relevant partnership structures to address these key priorities.
“The work will be directed through the government-led National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM), National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC), and Joint Initiative to Fight Crime and Corruption (JICC), and overseen by a Joint Strategic Operations Committee,” the presidency said.
Various government departments, relevant state-owned enterprises and other appropriate structures will collaborate on clearly defined initiatives with organised business, represented by numerous CEOs under the oversight of Business for South Africa (B4SA), the implementation platform for Business Unity South Africa (BUSA).
The presidency said that the initiative would build on previous collaborations between state and business, such as during Covid-19 for the vaccine rollout.
“This initiative will make a real and marked difference in rebuilding our economy and setting it on a path of sustained inclusive growth,” said president Cyril Ramaphosa.
“It is driven by a shared determination to overcome the severe challenges we currently face and to mobilise the country’s substantial capabilities towards the achievement of that goal. We welcome this commitment from business and undertake as government to work to ensure the success of this partnership.”
In an unprecedented move and under the umbrella of BUSA, CEOs of South Africa’s largest companies from all sectors are coming together in a coordinated and committed way. Their commitment is to work together urgently to address key challenges and ensure the country achieves its potential of inclusive growth and job creation.
Discovery CEO and BUSA vice president, Adrian Gore said that the partnership agreement underscores business’s belief in Southb Africa, and is a firm commitment to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
“Business, working together with all partners, is ideally positioned to ensure a better future, by turning the flywheel for the benefit of all,” he said.
The plan of action focuses on the following areas:
Energy
The partners will work to advance collaboration through the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) to end load shedding and achieve energy security.
This will be done by supporting a drive to close the current energy capacity gap and build confidence in restoring energy security.
Additionally, business has agreed to further capacitate NECOM to develop a confidence-building national communication plan that is credible and transparent, and is supported by business, and with visible and demonstrable actions.
Transport and Logistics
The parties have committed to stabilising and improving operational performance on key trade corridors, mobilising private sector resources and accelerating implementation of the National Rail Policy to close the capacity gap.
Work is underway to immediately align and integrate business’ efforts into Government’s Freight Logistics Roadmap, and urgently enable the development of work plans, deliverables and timelines while also integrating the private sector into the recently formed National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC).
Crime and Corruption
The government said it is reasserting the primacy of the rule of law and is in the process of strengthening the Investigating Directorate (ID) in the NPA and implementing intelligence, policing and other reforms in response to the recommendations of the State Capture Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, the Panel of Inquiry into the July 2021 Unrest and the High-Level Review Panel on the SSA, which will assist in these efforts.
Business will provide support, on a carefully governed arms-length basis, to combat crime and corruption, in particular, expert resources to further capacitate the NPA and the ID.
It has also been agreed to establish the Joint Initiative to Fight Crime and Corruption (JICC), which will be the delivery mechanism to implement related interventions.
The workstream priorities will be continuously reassessed and reprioritised, and, in the future, additional focus areas, such as water and infrastructure, may be brought into scope, the presidency said.
“Success in these priority interventions will create an environment that is more conducive to economic growth and job creation.
“In parallel, business and the government will explore ways to advance cooperation on the jobs agenda and identify what areas of collaboration or existing programmes can be significantly scaled in the short term,” it said.
Business representatives said that business is ideally positioned to ensure a better future for the benefit of all, which makes the partnership agreement with the government critically important.
“South African business leaders are committing to contributing considerable skills and resources and, as a matter of urgency, work through all relevant partnership structures to address our country’s priorities. Ultimately, success will lead to a significant impact on GDP growth and job creation and will re-instil confidence amongst all stakeholders.”
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Artmotion S.Africa
