SONA 2021: President Ramaphosa Promises to Push for Local Production
- South Africa's 2021 State of the Nation Address is underway and president Cyril Ramaphosa has listed a number of plans to move South Africa forward
- One of the aspects Ramaphosa has said the government will be focusing on is pushing for local production of goods to strengthen and expand the country's economy
- Ramaphosa has said that 42 local products have been identified that will push his vision of local production forward
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The South African State of the Nation Address is underway and President Cyril Ramaphosa has already touched on a number of plans that he will put into action to direct the country into a more positive future.
One of the ways Ramaphosa and his government plan to do is push for local production of goods. According to Ramaphosa, the government has identified up to 42 locally produced products that will expand South Africa's productive economy.
"Through the implementation of the poultry master plan, the industry has invested R800 million to upgrade production. South Africa now produces an additional one million chickens every week. The sugar master plan was signed during the lockdown, with a commitment from large users of sugar to procure at least 80% of their sugar needs from local growers.
"Through the implementation of the plan, last year saw a rise in local production and a decline in imported sugar, creating stability for an industry which employs some 85,000 workers," read a statement about how the government has managed to help push local production in the country thus far.
Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, South Africans do not seem to have any faith in Ramaphosa and his promises. Read a few of their thoughts below:
@KumaloPatricia said:
"Step in the right direction Mr President."
@Muzinje said:
"Support local business but we can’t produce our own vaccine #SONA2021"
@imanrappetti said:
"I just want to put fresh cucumber slices over the President's eyes...damn he looks exhausted! #SONA2021."
Briefly.co.za also reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the 2021 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on the evening of Thursday 11 February. Ramaphosa spoke about the coronavirus pandemic and the vaccine rollout in the country.
The president stated that the AstraZeneca vaccine's low efficacy will not delay the vaccine rollout in the country, which is set to start in March. Ramaphosa added that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which is more effective against the 501Y.V2 variant, will be used.
Pfizer has also committed 20 million vaccines and the country has secured 12 million vaccine doses from the global COVAX facility:
"Pfizer has committed 20 million vaccine doses commencing with deliveries at the end of the first quarter. We are continuing our engagements with all the vaccine manufacturers to ensure that we secure sufficient quantities of vaccines that are suitable to our conditions. #SONA2021
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Source: Briefly News
