Latest news with #GNU
IOL News
12 minutes ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Ramaphosa says the National Dialogue is 'not just about talking'
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the National Dialogue is a significant national process to develop a social compact that will enable the country to meet the aspirations of the National Development Plan Image: GCIS President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday said the planned National Dialogue will not be another talk shop but will be used as an instrument to develop a social compact. Speaking during the budget vote for The Presidency in the National Assembly, Ramaphosa said the National Dialogue was being convened in response to calls from individuals and formations from across society. 'This initiative has received wide support and has been endorsed by the Government of National Unity (GNU) as a significant national process to develop a social compact that will enable us to meet the aspirations of the National Development Plan,' he said. He made the statement as the GNU's second biggest partner, the DA, announced that it will boycott the National Dialogue citing the exorbitant amount budgeted for it convening after former minister Andrew Whitfield was axed from Cabinet after he went overseas without his approval. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ramaphosa said the National Dialogue does not displace the democratic processes mandated by the Constitution nor the electoral mandates that parties carry into Parliament and the executive. He said the country has to come together at every important moment in the history to define a shared vision and forge a path into the future in dialogue with one another. 'The National Dialogue is not just about talking. Like CODESA, like the National Peace Accord, like the consultation process that led to our new Constitution, the National Dialogue is expected to produce real results that have a tangible impact on people's lives.' Ramaphosa stated that they were called upon to use the National Dialogue as an instrument of development, transformation, progress, national cohesion and nation building. 'The National Dialogue does not displace the democratic processes mandated by our Constitution, nor the electoral mandates that parties carry into Parliament and the Executive.' He also said the GNU will continue to take action to address the immediate concerns that all South Africans share to grow our economy, to create jobs, to tackle corruption and crime, and to fix local government. Ramaphosa said when they established the GNU, they understood that they were embarking on a new era in the life of the country's democracy. 'We understood that there would be complex dynamics and novel challenges that we would need to navigate.' Citing one of successes of the GNU, he said they have together adopted the Medium Term Development Plan, which outlines clear actions to be undertaken over the next five years in pursuit of three strategic priorities. He also said across all ministries, all departments and all national entities, there was a commitment to implement the agreed actions and to move with urgency and purpose to address the needs of South Africans. 'Most importantly, there is a shared understanding that we need to rise above our differences and to work together to make progress on our most important challenges. The approach of the GNU is to enhance national cohesion and nation building and to build partnerships across society to advance the common interests of all South Africans.' Ramaphosa further said the formation of the GNU has inspired new hope in South Africans that they can make progress in addressing the most urgent challenges. He said their task was to grow the economy, create jobs, reduce poverty, tackle corruption and crime, and build a state that worked with institutions that will stand the test of time. 'While we will always have differences and disagreements, we are all committed to staying the course and seeing these reforms through to the end. 'We must combine the strength of our principles and convictions with an openness and willingness to listen and adapt,' Ramaphosa said.
IOL News
12 minutes ago
- Politics
- IOL News
MK party sets deadline for Ramaphosa's resignation, threatens nationwide action
The MK party led by former president Jacob Zuma has given President Cyril Ramaphosa until Friday to resign, threatening different actions including rolling mass action. Image: Doctor Ngcobo The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has formally delivered a letter of demand to Cyril Ramaphosa, calling on him to resign from office by 9am on Friday, July 18. In the letter seen by IOL, among other things, the MK party tells Ramaphosa that the decision to appoint Professor Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police is in contravention of the Constitution, because the academic is not a member of Cabinet or the National Assembly. MK party national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said Ramaphosa must resign in honour of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding commander-in-chief of uMkhonto weSizwe - the military wing. 'Should Ramaphosa fail to heed this call, the MK party will pursue a range of lawful and peaceful actions, including constitutional litigation, a motion of no confidence in Parliament and rolling mass action nationwide,' said Ndlela. 'These steps reflect the will of the people, who, through democratic means, delivered a decisive electoral verdict against the African National Congress under Ramaphosa's leadership.' He said, despite the 'clear message' from the electorate, the will of the people has been undermined by opportunistic political alliances. President Cyril Ramaphosa Image: Supplied During the May 2024 general elections, the African National Congress (ANC) secured just 40% of the vote, failing to maintain its decades-long parliamentary majority. 'The so-called Government of National Unity (GNU), formed by the Democratic Alliance, Freedom Front Plus, and their collaborators, has effectively reinstalled the very ANC that South Africans voted out. This betrayal has sparked widespread public outrage and represents a direct affront to democratic accountability,' said Ndlela. 'The recent explosive revelations by General Mkhwanazi further expose the GNU as a deeply compromised arrangement, more aligned with criminality than with the constitutional mandate to serve the people.' He said the MK party views the GNU as 'the most dangerous political fraud' in post-apartheid South Africa, adding that the political arrangement enables the continued theft of land, resources and dignity. 'The MK party calls on Cyril Ramaphosa and the GNU to respect the voice of the people before irreparable damage is done to South Africa's democratic institutions. The time for accountability and ethical leadership is now,' said Ndlela. Marching from Thokoza Park to the Kliptown police station, the small group lamented the recent deaths of councillors and other activists whose murders have not been resolved, while crime continues to spiral out of control. In Durban, supporters of Mkhwanazi marched from Curries Fountain to Hoy Park to deliver a memorandum, calling for the police commissioner's protection. This march followed his recent media briefing, which has lifted the lid on alleged deep-rooted corruption within the SAPS. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
an hour ago
- Business
- IOL News
Ramaphosa says GNU was formed to fix unemployment, crime, and corruption in SA
President Cyril Ramaphosa claims the GNU was created to fix urgent national issues. Image: GCIS, IOL Graphics President Cyril Ramaphosa claims the Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed with challenges in mind, including unemployment, rampant crime, poverty, corruption, and restoring the trust of the people, despite the ANC having lost its majority in the May 2024 general elections. He made the remarks as he presented the Presidency's budget vote for the 2025–26 financial year at the National Assembly on Wednesday. 'Today, the world faces real and significant challenges, and so do we as a country and as a nation,' Ramaphosa told Parliament. 'We face an increasingly volatile world, with many disruptions to global trade, as well as deepening conflicts that are raging in many parts of the world.' Ramaphosa acknowledged high levels of unemployment and sluggish economic growth that have hindered job creation. 'We face the corrosive effects of corruption and pervasive crime, to which the poorest among us are most vulnerable,' he said. 'We also face the daunting task of building a capable state that can address these challenges and restore the trust of our people.' Ramaphosa claimed the GNU was established to place the country on firmer footing, promote economic growth, foster transformation, and maintain peace and prosperity. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'When we established the GNU, we understood we were embarking on a new era in our democracy,' he said. 'We understood it would be complex and involve navigating novel challenges.' However, is it widely known that the GNU was not born from a vision to address these challenges but rather from necessity, after the African National Congress (ANC) failed to secure a majority in the May 2024 general elections - for the first time since the dawn of democracy in 1994. The coalition government at the national level, saw the ANC partnering with its former political rivals, including the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus. The GNU, which recently marked its first anniversary, has faced turbulence. Coalition partners have frequently clashed over policy and legislation. The DA has taken the Expropriation Without Compensation Act and the Employment Equity Amendment Act to court, opposing ANC-led initiatives. In April, the party successfully challenged the passing of a fiscal framework in Parliament, which had been pushed through with support from non-GNU parties such as ActionSA and Build One South Africa. The DA, the second-largest member of the GNU, has also failed in efforts to block the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act and the National Health Insurance Act. Despite these internal tensions, Ramaphosa emphasised the adoption of the Medium-Term Development Plan, outlining actions over the next five years to address national priorities. 'First, we aim to drive inclusive growth and job creation. Second, to tackle poverty and address the high cost of living. And third, to build a capable, ethical and developmental state,' he said. He said all the government departments and entities are committed to implementing these priorities with urgency and purpose. 'Most importantly, there is a shared understanding that we need to rise above our differences and work together to make progress on the important challenges our country faces,' he said. Ramaphosa said the GNU approach emphasises national cohesion, partnership and unity. A national dialogue process will begin with a National Convention on August 15. 'The national dialogue is not just about talking,' Ramaphosa said. 'Like CODESA, the National Peace Accord, and the constitutional consultation process, this dialogue is expected to produce tangible results.' He said the dialogue aims to build consensus around a shared vision and social compact aligned with the National Development Plan. 'This does not displace our democratic processes, nor does it divert us from the electoral mandate of this Parliament,' he said. 'The government will continue to act to address immediate concerns - to grow the economy, create jobs, tackle corruption and crime, and improve local government.' The medium-term plan, he said, includes specific and measurable targets to help guide national progress. IOL Politics
The South African
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The South African
Zuma's MK Party demands Ramaphosa quit by Friday
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has given President Cyril Ramaphosa until 9:00 on Friday, 18 July, to resign as head of state. The party said it has formally delivered a letter of demand asking Ramaphosa to resign in honour of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding Commander-in-Chief of uMkhonto weSizwe. MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said that should Ramaphosa fail to heed this call, the party will pursue a range of lawful and peaceful actions, including constitutional litigation, a motion of no confidence in Parliament, and rolling mass action nationwide. Ndhlela said these steps reflect the will of the people, who, through democratic means, delivered a decisive electoral verdict against the African National Congress (ANC) under Ramaphosa's leadership. 'It is deeply regrettable that, despite the clear message from the electorate, the will of the people has been undermined by opportunistic political alliances. The so-called Government of National Unity (GNU), formed by the DA, Freedom Front Plus, and their collaborators, has effectively reinstalled the very ANC that South Africans voted out. This betrayal has sparked widespread public outrage and represents a direct affront to democratic accountability,' he said. Further, Ndhlela said the recent explosive revelations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi further expose the GNU as a deeply compromised arrangement, more aligned with criminality than with the constitutional mandate to serve the people. The Jacob Zuma-led party views the GNU as the most dangerous political fraud in post-apartheid South Africa, enabling the continued theft of land, resources, and dignity. 'The MK Party calls on Cyril Ramaphosa and the GNU to respect the voice of the people before irreparable damage is done to South Africa's democratic institutions. The time for accountability and ethical leadership is now.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Star
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
SA's youth unemployment crisis: Can digital skills unlock their future?
A year into South Africa's national government of unity (GNU), the country's young people remain trapped at the precipice of despair. The promise of job opportunities and pathways for entrepreneurship continues to diminish, especially in a world increasingly led by a youthful population whose inventive thinking often conflicts with the traditional methods of those in power. This disconnection is not merely an abstract idea; it is a tangible reality for millions, showing as a deep sense of exclusion and a suppression of potential. The grim reality of South Africa's youth unemployment crisis is stark and well-documented. Statistics SA's Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of this year paints a sobering picture: young people aged 15-24 face a staggering unemployment rate of 62.4%, while those aged 25-34 contend with 40.4%. These are not just numbers; they represent a generation sidelined, their energy and creativity unharnessed. With 20 million South Africans aged between 15 and 34, this demographic forms the largest segment of our population. This demographic dividend, a potential driver of economic growth and social progress, is instead becoming a source of national concern. This alarming reality requires urgent and decisive action, moving beyond mere discussion to implement tangible and impactful measures across all sectors of society. Our collective response must begin at home, extend through our communities, reshape our educational institutions, and energise our civil, public, and private sectors. The goal should be to nurture an active, future-oriented population, equipped to become tomorrow's leaders and innovators. Importantly, this quest for solutions must fully harness the transformative potential of technology. The rapid rise of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), for example, should not be viewed with concern but as a significant opportunity. It prompts us to reconsider how we can utilise this technology to empower young people, unlock entrepreneurial talent, and boost economic development. It is time to move past the negativity rooted in a failure to recognise opportunities and instead embrace the immense potential within this digital frontier. At the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), strategically located in one of Gauteng's most influential industrial regions, we have long recognised this necessity. Our commitment goes beyond traditional academic teaching to proactive engagement with the digital future. Through initiatives like our Strategy 2033+, we focus on attracting and nurturing students with exceptional talent and potential, equipping them with the digital skills essential for a rapidly changing job market. Our recent community service project, where our Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences assisted Suncrest High School's 2025 Grade 12 students with online applications, showcases our commitment to closing the digital gap and promoting a culture of access and opportunity from the grassroots. The Gauteng government's commendable focus on the township economy has achieved significant progress in supporting existing businesses. Nonetheless, our efforts must also shift towards empowering young people in these communities who aspire to start their own ventures, developing solutions and products tailored to local needs. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, particularly financial institutions. They must explore innovative, concessional financing models that recognise the unique challenges and vast potential of youth-led township enterprises. We cannot continue to champion the township economy while failing to equip its most dynamic segment – our youth – with the necessary skills and financial lifelines. This year's UNESCO theme, 'Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills,' resonates profoundly with South Africa's challenges and aspirations. As a global community, we are collectively seeking solutions that improve young people's skills for both employment and entrepreneurship. UNESCO and other UN agencies have consistently supported the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To truly accomplish these goals, we must put our solutions at the centre of the ingenuity and motivation of our young people, recognising them not merely as beneficiaries but as co-creators of our future. Furthermore, the latest World Economic Forum's World of Work report underscores that 'technological change, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts and the green transition – individually and in combination – are among the major drivers expected to shape and transform the global labour market by 2030.' While these are global forces, South Africa has a unique opportunity to lead in adapting and innovating. We can and must surpass the mediocre leadership that has often characterised our response to the challenges faced by our young people. This moment calls for visionary, agile, and collaborative leadership that recognises the urgency of digital transformation. At VUT, our concern about the high rate of youth unemployment runs deep. However, concern alone is not enough. We are committed to rolling up our sleeves and taking action that goes beyond mere talk. This commitment is reflected in concrete steps that clearly show our determination to make a difference. Skills development, especially in digital and AI skills, provides a strong pathway to solutions. Learning institutions are no longer static brick-and-mortar places; they are active partners in national growth, evolving to effectively address today's complex challenges and to produce graduates capable of leading in the digital era. This demands closer collaboration between academia, industry, and government to jointly create curricula, support innovation hubs, and enable smooth transitions from education to employment or entrepreneurship. The path ahead will be challenging. It demands courage, ingenuity, and most importantly, readiness to listen to young people's. The time for action is now. Professor Khehla Ndlovu is the Vice Chancellor of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
