Govt, business to hold Lekgotla

[newsroom]

Pretoria – Government, in collaboration with the business sector, is planning a lekgotla that will look into how best the country can take advantage of the positive opportunities created by the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking after a meeting with Business Unity South Africa (Busa) on Tuesday, which both parties described as fruitful, President Jacob Zuma said investors from around the world had witnessed first-hand the ability and possibilities that the country had to offer.

"We wanted to take advantage of the World Cup period and discuss with business how we can move forward to better the lives of our people," said Zuma.

Economists have also indicated that the hosting of the tournament has increased confidence in South Africa as an investment destination.

Zuma said a small committee had been tasked with setting up matters related to the lekgotla which he said would convene “urgently”.

The aim of the meeting with Busa, he said, was to find permanent solutions to the country's socio-economic challenges - and government wants business to help in this regard.

“The meeting was called to put the ideas of business and government into one pot. “

An important programme that would form one of the cornerstones of future growth in South Africa was the infrastructure build programme and in this regard government had set aside R800-billion. Zuma was confident the move would inevitably lead to more job opportunities in the country.

Zuma said the job losses that the country experienced since last year was mainly due to the global economic meltdown, a factor that was not in anybody’s control.

Busa president Futhi Mtoba said the meeting was critical as government and business were partners in building a strong economy.

The main focus that the two would look into, Mtoba said, was the formation of an inclusive economy.

She said government and business would focus on integrating rural development into the country's business sector and outlook. – BuaNews