Promise of ‘94 not yet translated into meaningful change for some – Ramaphosa

By: Thabi Shomolekae

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday although South Africa is a “vastly different place” than it was 30 years ago, he acknowledged that there is still much more that needs to be done. Ramaphosa was speaking during the launch of the '30 Year Review of Democracy' report in Pretoria, where he conceded that South Africa was contending with slow economic growth, high unemployment, poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. “We know that for millions of South Africans, the promise of 1994 has not yet translated into the meaningful change that they seek and deserve. That is why we must, and we will, continue to work in earnest to resolve the challenges that are holding back our progress,” he said. He explained that government would continue its efforts to overcome the energy crisis, to implement structural reforms to boost economic growth, adding that it would also drive programmes that created more employment, and improved the capacity of the State to deliver services. He said the democratic breakthrough of 1994 represented a decisive break with a painful past and an opportunity for South Africa to chart a new course. He highlighted that government had established a unitary, democratic State and created institutions to uphold democracy and promote accountability. →