Cabinet Lekgotla Focussing On South Africa’s Economic Growth and SOEs

The deepening of economic growth and the predicament of the country’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) – like Eskom and SAA – are expected to be taking centre stage at the Cabinet Lekgotla being held by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria this week.

Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu outlined the government’s medium term strategic framework for the media, saying: “After the elections in 2019, the Cabinet literally converted the manifesto of the governing party into its programme of action.”

The manifesto was converted into seven priority areas (see below) which will guide the government’s work over the next five years, Mthembu said.

The Cabinet Lekgotla – being run yesterday and today – is expected to delve into each of the seven priorities.

The seven priorities are:

– Economic transformation and job creation;

– Education, skills and health;

– Consolidating the social wage through reliable and quality basic services;

– Spatial integration, human settlements and local government;

– Social cohesion and safe communities;

– A capable, ethical and developmental state and

– A better Africa and World.

“In particular, what do we need to do to ensure and build an ethical and capable state? Where are the gaps in our SOEs, in the structures of government at national, provincial and local level – what is it that we need to do to arrest the capacities that seem not to be there?” said the Minister.

Economic growth and attracting investment will also form part of the discussions, he said, adding that this was critical if the country was to deal with the many crises. He said creating jobs for the young is important.

Cabinet will focus on what needs to be done, he said.

“What do we do with our SOEs? You know the difficulties we have with Eskom, in many of our SOEs, including SAA – What do we do with all of them to repurpose them to be able to fulfil the mandate that they were created for,” said Mthembu.

He emphasised that SOEs are important in ensuring that the country’s economy grows.

“We must do a lot of work in resuscitating and repurposing them,” he said.

Regarding the economy, he said Cabinet will broadly dissect the state of the economy. Minister Tito Mboweni is expected to also provide a fiscal outlook at the two-day meeting.

Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel will also provide a presentation on what government should be doing to grow the economy. – SAnews.gov.za