Chairperson, the UCDP supports the Budget Vote, but job creation is central to economic development. For ordinary people, economic development means waking up to a good, decent job and to be able to provide for their families. There are a number of things that need to be addressed before we can positively make a difference to current unemployment statistics.
If the World Economic Forum ranks South Africa's labour laws the 7th lowest among 139 countries, then this is an area worthy of attention. Poor education outcomes also aggravate the issue of unskilled labour and compromise sustainable economic development.
Infrastructure inadequacies also play a major role in determining economic growth, hence the recent commitment to spend much of the country's budget is most welcome. However, infrastructural spending is riddled with its own set of problems, like tenderpreneuring and corruption, which make the country move at a snail's pace in spite of huge resources allocated. However, we need to continue addressing infrastructural constraints, especially in energy.
The role of state-owned enterprises need clear clarifications so that they can have a significant impact on the reduction of poverty and the establishment of sustainable development. Even though the idea of nationalisation seems to have been abandoned, there remains a need to empower workers through share ownership schemes so that they may acquire a stake in the rich mineral resources of this country.
The private sector has a role to play in order for us to see continued sustainable development. For instance, food retail companies need to be encouraged to establish partnerships with emerging farmers. The last issue I want to speak about is economic freedom, without which it is almost impossible to have other freedoms. It is also an insult to call people ``free'' when they remain bound to economic underdevelopment. There are many proposals in this regard. I admit that they all deserve our attention if we possess the political willingness to address economic development. I thank you. [Applause.]