President #Ramaphosa: Fellow South Africans,
From the onset of this crisis, we have sought to both save lives and protect livelihoods.
From the onset of this crisis, we have sought to both save lives and protect livelihoods.
President #Ramaphosa: That is why in April we introduced a massive economic and social relief package to limit the effects of the pandemic on companies, workers, households and communities.
President #Ramaphosa: This intervention was essential to keep businesses afloat, to protect jobs and to prevent millions of people from going hungry.
President #Ramaphosa: Now, as our economy has been steadily opening up and restrictions on movement and activity have been eased, we have been able to turn our attention from these emergency measures towards an ambitious plan of economic reconstruction.
President #Ramaphosa: Through the various interventions that we are making to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are shifting from relief to recovery.
As the economy starts to recover, many of the measures in the relief package are steadily being wound down.
As the economy starts to recover, many of the measures in the relief package are steadily being wound down.
President #Ramaphosa: We are trying – within our limited resources – to ensure this is a gradual transition.
We recognise that some industries are still not able to operate fully and that it will take some time for many jobs to return.
We recognise that some industries are still not able to operate fully and that it will take some time for many jobs to return.
President #Ramaphosa: That is why we extended the Special COVID-19 Grant for a further three months, until January 2021.
This will provide much needed income to around 6 million people who are unemployed and do not receive any other form of government grant.
This will provide much needed income to around 6 million people who are unemployed and do not receive any other form of government grant.
President #Ramaphosa:
Following extensive discussions with our social partners, the UIF will extend the COVID-19 UIF Ters benefit scheme by another month, to 15 October 2020.
Following extensive discussions with our social partners, the UIF will extend the COVID-19 UIF Ters benefit scheme by another month, to 15 October 2020.
President #Ramaphosa:
Discussions continue with our social partners on support for businesses in distress going forward, mindful of the need to ensure that the UIF has sufficient funds to meet the anticipated rise in unemployment claims.
Discussions continue with our social partners on support for businesses in distress going forward, mindful of the need to ensure that the UIF has sufficient funds to meet the anticipated rise in unemployment claims.
President #Ramaphosa: The COVID-19 UIF scheme has already paid out nearly R53 billion to over 4.7 million workers.
These relief measures were necessary to protect those who are most vulnerable in a time of great distress, but they will have to come to an end.
These relief measures were necessary to protect those who are most vulnerable in a time of great distress, but they will have to come to an end.
President #Ramaphosa: The relief package has laid the foundation for a robust economic recovery, limiting job losses and keeping afloat many businesses that would otherwise have been forced to close.
President #Ramaphosa: As we transition to a new phase in our response, the only way forward is a rapid and sustained economic recovery.
We are therefore working to enable all parts of the economy to return to full operation as quickly and as safely as possible.
We are therefore working to enable all parts of the economy to return to full operation as quickly and as safely as possible.
President #Ramaphosa: We are amending the alert level 1 regulations to restore the normal trading hours for the sale of alcohol at retail outlets.
President #Ramaphosa:
We are also opening up international travel to all countries subject to the necessary health protocols and the presentation of a negative COVID-19 certificate.
We are also opening up international travel to all countries subject to the necessary health protocols and the presentation of a negative COVID-19 certificate.
President #Ramaphosa: By using rapid tests and strict monitoring we intend to limit the spread of the infection through importation.
We expect that these measures will greatly assist businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
We expect that these measures will greatly assist businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
President #Ramaphosa:
We are focusing relentlessly on the implementation of our plan, pursuing a few priorities with the highest impact and ensuring that we deliver on these.
We are focusing relentlessly on the implementation of our plan, pursuing a few priorities with the highest impact and ensuring that we deliver on these.
President #Ramaphosa: Our infrastructure programme continues to gather pace, with the strong support of the private sector & development institutions. Many programmes supported through the Presidential Employment Stimulus have already started, & recruitment for others has begun.
President #Ramaphosa: Among these, the Department of Basic Education has opened recruitment this week for teacher and school assistants, targeting unemployed youth in every province.
President #Ramaphosa: Next week, we will be holding our third South Africa Investment Conference, which is an important indicator of the country’s continued value as an investment destination for both local and foreign investors.
President #Ramaphosa: We will continue to drive progress on the reconstruction and recovery plan, including through the implementation of structural reforms to shift our economic trajectory.
Through our actions now we can ensure that we remain on the path to recovery.
Through our actions now we can ensure that we remain on the path to recovery.
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