Latest news with #socialcompact
The Herald
14 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald
Nelson Mandela Bay civil society group calls for conference to avert economic crisis in metro
The Civil Society Coalition of Nelson Mandela Bay has urged Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane and the presidency to urgently organise a rescue conference to discuss how an economic collapse can be averted in the metro. This follows the imminent closure of the Goodyear plant in Kariega, US tariffs that threaten the industrial economy, and political instability at City Hall which has led to chronic service delivery failures. On Monday, the coalition stated that a new social compact was needed to consolidate the input generated by civil society, which would be binding across all levels of government. 'We need a proactive economic and industrialisation strategy that broadens the value chains that underpin our economy and builds on the metro's existing human and natural assets. 'This metro cannot afford to lose another industrial anchor, more so that we are already advised of others that are in line to potentially close,' the statement said. According to the coalition, the US tariffs pose a danger to the industrial economy of the Bay and have placed thousands of jobs at risk. The new 30% tariff rate kicked in August after a trade deal could not be reached. 'The tariffs will also serve to have a domino effect on other industries, as we seek new markets in competition with other countries similarly impacted. 'Any disruption to trade relations with the US will have a devastating ripple effect across supply chains, communities and households already battling high levels of poverty and unemployment.' It said the impact of the closure of Goodyear stretched far beyond the employees of the plant, but would affect small businesses and surrounding sectors. 'This signals a deepening social and economic crisis,' the statement said. Goodyear announced in June that 907 jobs were on the line when it winds down its manufacturing operations in the country. The group has also hit out against political governance in the city. 'The direct consequence of the misgovernance and mismanagement on the political and economic front, social depravation and decline , specifically in the form of murder, syndicated theft of infrastructure, substance abuse, interpersonal abuse, and neighbourhood gangs, plague the people of our metro. 'We are counted among the top-ranking murder cities in the world. 'It is a crisis our leadership seem to blind themselves to and we call for a sense of urgency among the non-state formations, working with a willing government at all levels,' the coalition said. It has called on the government to take the necessary action to enable a sustainable economy by securing a low-carbon and stable electricity supply to the metro. This, they said, could be done by bringing in industrial and trade policy certainty for green hydrogen, electric vehicles, grid supply, wheeling of renewable energy, manganese exportation and beneficiation of raw minerals. Other suggestions included leveraging the national public employment programmes to aid cleanup, tourism and community safety, and returning the ports to optimal functionality. The Herald
The Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
National Dialogue must inform policy, not only be a tool for venting: NPC
With ructions among participants only a week before the convention to usher in the planned National Dialogue, the advisory panel of experts within the National Planning Commission (NPC) has called for a focus on the goals of the process. 'We are conscious of the importance of ensuring implementation and hope the issues and concerns raised during the National Dialogue will be taken seriously enough to inform policy changes where necessary,' the entity said on Friday. The National Dialogue is slated as a process to bring together government, political parties, civil society, business, labour, traditional leaders, women, youth and community voices to find common ground and new solutions for the country. It was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa as an opportunity to forge a new social compact that drives progress towards 'Vision 2030" and to lay the foundation for the next national development plan (NDP). The NPC, created in 2010, is the custodian of the NDP and advises government on the country's long-term plan to eliminate poverty, unemployment, and inequality by 2030. The agency said the National Dialogue comes amid a lack of faith and confidence in institutions of authority. 'In such a climate of mounting public cynicism, the process must honestly acknowledge the failings of the state, political parties and powerful individuals. It must also recognise the pain, suffering and sacrifices of those who are brave enough to express them at these gatherings. 'For the National Dialogue to be a success, leaders across the spectrum will need to demonstrate levels of maturity, altruism and commitment and act in the best interest of the people of South Africa to rebuild trust and ensure accountability.' The NPC said there also needs to be clarity and transparency concerning the roles and responsibilities of the roleplayers involved, and for citizens to be empowered with accurate and timely information to encourage their participation. Action points should flow from the process, the NPC said. 'We welcome the initiative and the opportunity to support the National Dialogue, [however] the NPC wants to caution against the process turning into what is colloquially referred to as a 'talk shop', a national catharsis and emotional ventilation with limited practical outcomes. 'While the need for change is easy to recognise, the effort that accompanies the change is much more difficult.' The statement came as the legacy foundations of former political leaders pulled out of the preparatory task team for the August 15 convention, citing concerns about government control over what should be a citizen-led initiative and funding of the processes. TimesLIVE
CNA
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
PM Wong's new government to prioritise securing Singapore's place in a 'changed world'
SINGAPORE: Securing Singapore an assured place in a 'changed world' is a key priority for the country's next term of government, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday (May 23) as his new Cabinet was sworn in. Reviewing the country's economic strategies, strengthening its social compact, and preparing Singapore to face future challenges, are also among his team's main objectives, Mr Wong said during the ceremony at the Istana. Mr Wong and his new team were sworn in by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon in front of about 650 guests, comprising Members of Parliament, former ministers, diplomats and representatives from across Singapore society. This is the first complete team formed under Mr Wong since he succeeded Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong last year. In Mr Wong's first electoral test as Singapore's leader, the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) won a strong mandate at the May 3 General Election, garnering 65.57 per cent of the national vote. He announced his Cabinet line-up on Wednesday, appointing three coordinating ministers and bringing in nine new political office holders. Mr Wong on Friday said a key priority for his team will be to deepen Singapore's relations with the major powers, especially the US and China, engaging them honestly in a principled manner while not getting caught in their rivalry. 'Where our interests align, we will work with them. Where they do not, we will stand firm and protect Singapore's security and sovereignty,' he said, adding that the first priority would be to secure an "assured place" for Singapore in this "changed world". Singapore will also seek new ties with countries in parts of the world, like Africa and South America, where it does not have much presence yet, said Mr Wong. 'In a world of shifting alliances, we will be a steady and constructive partner, one willing and able to contribute to peace and stability, to advance dialogue and fraternity, and support a rules-based global order,' he said. 'Our goal is not just to navigate this uncertain world, but to help shape it for the better, by working with like-minded partners, and upholding shared principles and values, so that small nations too have a place under the sun.' ECONOMIC, SOCIAL PRIORITIES The country's economic strategies will be reviewed and updated for the new landscape, said Mr Wong. Working with tripartite partners, the government will develop 'a new economic blueprint for our next phase' to sustain Singapore's competitive edge and create good jobs for Singaporeans, he said. It will also help businesses, households and workers 'weather the storm' as global growth slows in the near term, added Mr Wong. To refresh the country's social compact, the government will also press on with the Forward Singapore initiative, something Mr Wong said is critical in creating an even fairer and just society. He added that a society torn by inequalities cannot possibly stand resilient in the face of a turbulent world. 'We will enhance our social support system to provide greater assurances to Singaporeans across all life stages, from early childhood to retirement,' he said. 'This means keeping essential services like education, healthcare and housing accessible and affordable. It also means strengthening support for our seniors, so they can live with dignity, purpose and fulfilment.' There will be more diverse and flexible pathways for Singaporeans to seek 'happiness, prosperity and progress' – words of the national pledge – and to thrive and flourish on their own terms, said Mr Wong. Mr Wong noted that when issues of race and religion surfaced in the recent General Election, 'we did not allow them to divide us', a sign of how far Singapore has come as a society, and a reminder that racial and religious harmony cannot be taken for granted. The government will also prepare Singapore for the future, particularly in speeding up the transition to cleaner energy and adapting to the realities of climate change, said Mr Wong. This includes transforming infrastructure, and creating smarter, more connected and greener homes here. A CLEAR MANDATE Mr Wong's first electoral outing as head of the country's fourth-generation leadership saw the ruling PAP improve on its 2020 performance by 4 percentage points, taking 87 out of 97 seats in the country's 15th Parliament. In leading the party to an increased vote share, Mr Wong bucked a trend: Previous GEs in 1991 and 2006 saw dips in the PAP's vote share after a new prime minister took office. The PAP also won in all the hotly contested constituencies, including the Jalan Kayu single-seat ward and Punggol GRC, as well as West Coast-Jurong West GRC, which saw the closest fight in 2020. In uncertain times, voters in Singapore understood what was at stake, choosing leaders they could trust and rely on, and a steady course for the nation's next phase of development, said Mr Wong. This puts Singapore in an advantageous position, especially in conducting its foreign policy, he said. 'The international community and investors would have taken note of these outcomes. They would see a nation that is united, standing firmly behind its leaders, and placing confidence in a government with the strength and security to secure Singapore's place in an unpredictable world,' he said. The new Cabinet begins this term of government in a world that is more uncertain and unpredictable than before, said the prime minister. The conditions that underpinned Singapore's survival, security and success are shifting, with the rules-based international order fraying, he said. The peace, security and free trade brought by multilateral cooperation, is giving way to a tangle of bilateral and transactional deals, where might often makes right, said Mr Wong. 'The major powers of the world are reassessing their strategies and shifting their positions to secure the upper hand. Competition is intensifying, and smaller countries risk being caught in the crossfire, or being cut out of the conversation altogether,' he said. 'Singapore will not stand still. We cannot afford to be passive. We must be clear-eyed, proactive and adapt nimbly to the shifting dynamics.' Mr Wong said that his team will govern in a style that is 'in partnership with Singaporeans', engaging Singaporeans from all walks of life to write the next chapter of the nation's story. 'Everyone will have a say in shaping our way forward and building our shared future, for I firmly believe that a more open and engaged society will strengthen, not weaken, Singapore,' he said. 'We are not afraid of differing views. We welcome constructive debates. They push us to think harder, plan better, and serve Singaporeans more effectively.'
