is deeply under the impression of he asserts. “No-one must be made to often. To address the problem, the
how apartheid – and specifically the feel like a second-class citizen.” Deputy President proposes speeding
dearth of education and employment up the training process and improving
opportunities for the majority of employment conditions.
South Africans – set us up for a “I never really thought I
challenging path to achieve national
would be involved in the
The way forward
unity. He remembers how in his days Motlanthe is concerned about the
as Secretary-General of the NUM a national politics” accumulated disabilities in the
person with a plasterer’s qualification, education and health sectors;
for instance, was only ever able to find I find it fascinating that on the one these need special attention from
employment on the mines. hand our Deputy President engages government. But in general, the
Although the new South Africa is 15 with issues such as job creation, Deputy President is optimistic
years old, a number of the country’s empowerment and skills development about the direction the Jacob Zuma
citizens are still being excluded from in order to ensure that the section of leadership is taking. He cites the
economic activity thanks to apartheid’s society that is excluded from economic new tough stance on corruption
legacy. Someone who has been excluded activity keeps on shrinking, while on as a victory and lauds the recently
from economic activity may “feel less of the other he deals with the other end launched presidential hotline, which is
a citizen” because of the “social station” of the working population – the highly reportedly ringing off the hook. And
he or she occupies. But he is optimistic skilled who are difficult to retain. It the threats to take underperforming
that these barriers will be removed over is well known that skills retention is municipal officials to task are not idle,
time as part of the country’s economic one area of economic activity that has he reminds me, mentioning the much
transformation process. proved to be a major problem in South publicised recent sacking of municipal
He makes it clear, however, Africa, dogging small businesses and heads in Mpumalanga.
that he does not promote reverse specifically the health and IT sectors. Full of optimism, he has a deep
discrimination. It’s no use if people pull Many highly skilled professionals leave understanding of the challenges still
back because they experience apartheid the country in search of more lucrative facing us. And with these challenges
in reverse. “We must make sure that all opportunities, while those who stay he will deal, like the true leader that
our people have a sense of belonging,” have the tendency to jump ship too he is.
<
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The Deputy President chats to our writer, Siza Mtimkulu
I
S
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Awarding the Order of the
Companions of OR Tambo in
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e
s
: G
With Rev Johan Botes at Groote Kerk in Cape Town
Silver Awarded to Per Wästberg
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38
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