Hon House Chairperson, hon Minister and Deputy Minister in the House, my colleagues, many goals have indeed been set by the government over the past decade to improve the South African economy. Every year we look forward to being the pioneers of a new economic approach and ways to effectively deal with the enormous socioeconomic and environmental problems facing the economy.
We support all efforts and commend the department's attempts to pursue a more aggressive economic policy, with the state intervening to address the structural constraints on our economy.
A steady growth path for the South African economy is long overdue. For too long we have lived under the illusion that our economy was sound, while our unemployment rate remained one of the highest in the world. As long as this prevails, it widens our gross inequalities, and the natural wealth of our country becomes unsustainably depleted.
In 2003, some European countries were even subsidising cattle at R19 per head. Less than five years ago, the UN's Dollar-a-Day campaign was geared up to feed starving families in Africa. The sad reality is that in our country there are families who survive on less than R15 per day.
Hon Minister, I think it is time that we in this department have a holistic approach to job creation and transform the economy of South Africa, so that the people in this country who need to benefit do benefit.
This department must be willing to address both market and government failures in order to create sustainable economic growth for the poor and previously disadvantaged communities. Job creation must be a primary indicator, but competitiveness and export ability must also increase.
We therefore welcome Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel's move to deal with jobs growth in South Africa. There is also a dire need to make a wage subsidy aimed at incentivising youth employment available.
One of the biggest challenges facing our economy is the rate at which technology is advancing and changing the face of global economic development. If we do not rise to meet these changes, we will certainly be left behind and be subjected to severe limitations in dealing with the challenges of the millennium. We support this Budget Vote. I thank you.