One of the biggest challenges facing the South African economy – sluggish growth – needs to be addressed when Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan presents his mid-term budget tomorrow.

At last week’s UASA 6th four-yearly national congress, Gordhan said the country could do a lot more‚ not just by talking but by acting and believing that the solution lay within the country. He added that South Africa could show the international rating agencies a positive report card towards the end of the year.

By doing the right thing, under the right leadership, we can create a better South Africa for all, Gordhan said.

Gordhan said South Africa can show the international rating agencies a positive report card.

What the Mini Budget should focus on South Africa’s risk of losing its investment-grade credit rating as S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, which put South Africa at the lowest investment grade, are due to review their assessments by the end of the year.

Secondly, the green shoots that the economy is showing according to Gordhan, as well as the structural features that he said are holding the economy back need a sharper focus.

Furthermore he needs to focus on inclusive and higher levels of growth to decrease South Africa’s unemployment numbers.

As a trade union, UASA is willing and active in creating a more modern and constructive labour environment, accepting the challenge that unions have a large role to play in modern day South Africa.

UASA trusts that Gordhan will be able to instil more confidence in South Africans while conveying a decisive message that the solution for a growing economy lies within us, with the knowledge that no-one else will turn our economy around on our behalf.

Issued by UASA