By Doreen Mokgolo
A group of South Africa’s leading business people caught up with President Cyril Ramaphosa on his walk at the 55th ANC National Conference, at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, on Tuesday.
Before making his closing remarks, the president took a stroll around the business market section at the conference.
Business owners raised many issues: high tax rates; lack of funding and support for local businesses; business mafias in the construction industry; and extortion, especially in township businesses, in exchange for security.
Those in attendance told the president that they are still struggling to sustain their businesses post the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and the business looting during the July unrest last year.
Economic Forum South Africa’s vice president, Dr Eugenia Kula, says the government needs to invest in local businesses in order to strengthen the economy.
“Out of this conference, we have heard of strategies and policy amendments which look good on paper but over the years we have seen them not being implemented,” Kula told Scrolla.Africa after her interaction with Ramaphosa.
“We are not going to be excited about the promises, but will wait on implementation,” she added.
Kula says for the government to diagnose challenges in business, they first need to engage the sector to know and identify their needs.
“We are pleading with the new leadership to deal with the challenges of crime, energy crisis, and corruption,” says Kula.
She says businesses need an enabling environment in order to thrive.
Bheki Twala, from township economy, says they need leaders who are prepared to visit the townships to experience first-hand some of the challenges they face on a daily basis.
Pictured above: Cyril Ramaphosa
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
