SA energy, economy in focus during Ramaphosa’s ANC anniversary speech
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address on Sunday as the African National Congress marked its 111th year, prioritizing the country’s energy crisis and economic challenges in his speech at Mangaung, Free State.
Ramaphosa, re-elected as ANC leader in December despite being the subject of recent corruption investigations, acknowledged the difficulties facing South Africans, notably unemployed youth with a full third of those between ages 15 and 24 neither working nor in school.
South Africa’s significant and chronic electricity shortages are one of the most pressing economic issues.
“The electricity crisis in our county continues to undermine economic growth and investment,” Ramaphosa said. “Load shedding damages businesses, disrupts households and compromises the provision of social services.” It also contributes to disruptions in food production, and crime and public safety concerns.
The ANC is calling for state-owned utility provider Eskom to limit power interruptions by performing critical maintenance, ensuring competent personnel, and curbing corruption. Eskom has had ongoing rolling blackouts across South Africa, announcing on Sunday that its Stage 3 and Stage 4 loadshedding measures would continue until further notice.
Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of South Africa’s investment in hydrogen, in order to succeed in a clean energy transition.
“The ANC directs government to implement further supportive policy measures and actions to enable South Africa to become a green hydrogen center,” said the ANC statement that Ramaphosa highlighted. “There are important new opportunities in developing rare earth and platinum group minerals for green manufacturing.”
Image: ANC Free State
Laureen Fagan
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
Laureen is a freelance journalist creating high-quality, informed content on international affairs, politics and technology. She has worked both in and out of newsrooms since 2000. She is a former paramedic with significant experience in community resilience and nonprofit community development initiatives, and maintains "a passion for action" on sustainability and climate change. She also is trained in conflict resolution and diversity, and has special interests in science and medical reporting, and culture and religion issues. Laureen received her MSJ from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in the United States, and completed additional graduate study in theology at University of Notre Dame. Follow Laureen on Mastodon at @laureen@m.ai6yr.org
