Chairperson, events around the world, particularly in North Africa, highlight the critical need for innovative ways to drastically reduce unemployment which forces masses of people into situations where they are no better off than they were before 1994. Education without employment negates human rights and we all know that the state alone cannot create six million jobs. Many are warning that if we wish to avoid unrest in South Africa there is limited time. Dignity and equality are simply not possible without opportunities to earn a decent salary. Dignity and equality also come at a high price when people become angry and desperate and react violently.
As a speaker and writer, Prof Barry Fletcher points out that we could benefit from a closer look at the East. China's standard of living, for example, has vastly improved and its employment rate is about 96%. Key to this could be that China recognised it had to create cities as places of industry and employment, rather than fearing the unstoppable move of rural people to cities. We should celebrate cities and create more of them to absorb this ready workforce.
South Africa has the potential for many more cities and city ports with resources such as water, power, and road and rail infrastructure. Cities like Kimberley should not be dying when their resuscitation would mean better lives for so many. Cities are the places where industries are situated and where employment is created.
We may not have the financial resources for rapid-fire, China-type acceleration - but we could have. Japan will in all likelihood rebuild quickly and efficiently despite its appalling economic deficit. It will do so using the world's resources and capital. Foreign countries and multinational companies will produce the finance and own much of the development.
Similar development in South Africa would require tax benefits, including tax holidays. For new businesses, where there was no business and therefore no tax before, a tax holiday for a few years is of little consequence, but will ensure a healthy fiscus in years to come.
There can be no freedom, justice or peace without dignity and equality. There can be no dignity and equality without employment opportunities. Thank you.