President Jacob Zuma says he will soon make an announcement on the funding for higher education.
The President said this when he made his annual address to the National Council of Provinces on Thursday afternoon.
“I am aware of the anxiety regarding the funding for higher education. As matric pupils pass, the challenge becomes funding for further education.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee for Higher Education Funding, chaired by the Minister in the Presidency, working with the Presidential Fiscal Committee, is assisting me to process the report of the SANews.gov.za.
“I will be making an announcement soon on the report,” he said.
The President made his annual address to the National Council of Provinces under the theme “Deepening unity in action for inclusive growth and Africa’s renewal – reclaiming the legacy of OR Tambo”.
He paid tribute to the struggle stalwart for his selflessness in his role during the fight against the apartheid regime and for fighting for freedom.
Delivering his address, the President said a lot has been done to deliver on the promise to improve on the lives of all citizens despite a tough economic climate.
The President said to bolster growth, government needs to provide the necessary support to the sectors that can help re-ignite growth. He said the nine-point plan is being used to boost sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, mining and telecommunications, among others.
“Also important is the need to bring industry and economic activity closer to where people live to boost investments in other centres of the country.
“Boosting the township economy and ensuring that economic activities that put food on the table are supported remains critical as we fight poverty,” he said.
The President said attracting investments remains a priority.
In this regard, he said government continues to launch Investment one-stop-shops across the country with an aim of making it easy for investors to do business in the country. These have been launched in Pretoria and Cape Town. Another will be launched in KZN this month.
“We are also implementing incentives and support services for investors through our special economic zones programme. The six Industrial Development Zones established between 2002 and 2014 have attracted about 59 investors with an investment value of more than R10 billion,” he said.
Calls to promote brand South Africa
The President said, meanwhile, that unity among key stakeholders was important during this difficult time.
He said citizens had the responsibility to promote the country externally and to solve domestic challenges internally in a patriotic and responsible manner.
“Attacking South Africa and badmouthing the country when she is most vulnerable is irresponsible, especially if done by South Africans themselves,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
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