Ramaphosa made the statement in response to the State of the Nation address debate.
We are committed to the economic reform as we announced. We will remove barriers that hinder growth. We will not just switch off Eskom’s lights. We will rectify Eskom’s financial and operational position. We are taking strict steps to get the country ready for the future. It is our responsibility to future generations.
Despite the difficulties, we are making progress. We do not hide from our problems. We face it. I was touched by an article in which a journalist writes that we must also fight back against pessimists who write off South Africa.
As some MPs have said, land reform is a necessity. If we do not give access to land to all South Africans, we will not only fail to rectify past injustices but will limit our economic growth.
That is why we have the program of accelerated land reform. Where we have given land to people in the past without appropriate support, we will give it this time. We support the amendment of the Constitution and a new expropriation law is on the way.
It will not undermine property rights, but rather broaden the property rights of all South Africans.
It’s about extending land rights to all South Africans and not just to some as in the past. The process will take place constitutionally and in accordance with national laws. Land grabs will not be allowed in the country.