Hon Speaker, even though the unemployment rate remains critical, more jobs were created in 2011 as a result of stringent interventions introduced by the ANC government.
Figures released two weeks ago reveal that the rate of unemployment has fallen from 25% to 23,9% as a result of new jobs that were created. What is of utmost importance is that all the new jobs were created in the formal sectors of the economy, such as mining, transport, community services and trade.
The work done last year indicates that if the country continues to grow reasonably, and with the ANC government's commitment to a R300 billion infrastructure project, the economy can begin to grow at a speed that will create the much-needed jobs. Therefore the ANC calls on the private sector to join the government in pursuit of a growing economy and the creation of jobs, because working together we can do more. Thank you. [Applause.]