Maintaining stability in South Africa would be a key driving force behind economic growth, as stability would attract more foreign investors, the Congress of the People (Cope) said on Wednesday.

“Cope’s approach will be that we must drive for stability. Stability by maintaining the constitution of the country,” said party president Mosiuoa Lekota.

Lekota stated that anything that undermined the constitution could contribute to huge instability in the country.

To maintain stability, Cope would firstly tackle the issue of crime, which Lekota said would include allegations of corruption. “The high levels of crime contribute to instability, and that drives away potential investors.”

He said that an environment conducive to foreign investors were key to reducing the high levels of unemployment in South Africa.

“And then, of course, out of the element of creating that stability, we need to make sure that economic empowerment takes place, economic empowerment of the poor sections of the population. This will be at the top of the agenda.”

Lekota added that Cope would invest heavily in the economic empowerment of the poor and would educate the sector on how to get out of the dire financial situation.

For a comprehensive article featuring more political parties' views on economic policy and labour, click here.