Voorsitter, die VF Plus is tevrede dat die Minister 'n ministerile beleidsaksieplan die lig laat sien het. Die regte plan wat effektief uitgevoer word, kan groot bydraes tot die land se ekonomiese groei lewer, veral ten aansien van werkskepping. Ekonomiese groei sonder werkskepping is betekenisloos vir die gewone persoon op die straat. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Mr A D ALBERTS: Chairperson, the FF Plus is satisfied that the Minister ensured the development of a ministerial policy action plan.
When the right plan is executed effectively, it could contribute significantly to the country's economic growth, especially with regard to job creation. Economic growth without job creation does not mean anything to the man in the street.]
One of the ways we can create sustainable jobs, become globally more competitive and ensure internal service delivery, is to bring back the lost expertise forced out of the state service and the free market by interventions like affirmative action and black economic empowerment.
In fact, in contrast to the Director-General of Labour, Mr Jimmy Manyi's contentions, whites, coloureds and Indians are underrepresented in state departments and in the lower and lower-middle levels of corporate South Africa. These deficiencies must be addressed to create an equitable economic environment.
Furthermore, the FF Plus feels that the government must now be bold enough to start treating all young people born after 1994 truly equitably, as was the intention of the drafters of the Constitution.
As for the policy action plan itself, the Minister's efforts to support the green industries are noted and appreciated. The further investigation into high food and banking costs is also commended. This must be a key priority in raising the quality of life in South Africa.
With regard to the government's support in the development of the aerospace industry, special emphasis should be placed on our unique ability to manufacture satellites at a fraction of international industry costs. Thank you very much. [Time expired.]