President Cyril Ramaphosa Shows Respect to SMME Entrepreneurs, SA Slams Him

President Cyril Ramaphosa Shows Respect to SMME Entrepreneurs, SA Slams Him

  • President Cyril Ramaphosa praised small business owners as the real human capital of the country
  • He recently spoke during the Presidential Awards and said small business owners must be recognised for their efforts
  • South Africans roasted him and accused him of paying lip services to businesses

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, the State of the Nation Address, Parliament and Parliamentary committees, politician-related news and elections at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

Cyril Ramaphosa praised small businesses in his Presidential Awards keynote speech
Netizens were not impressed with Cyril Ramaphosa's speech where he praised SMMEs. Images: Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images and AaronAmat
Source: Getty Images

JOHANNESBURG — President Cyril Ramaphosa praised small businesses during the recent Presidential Awards.

Ramaphosa lauds SMMEs

According to eNCA, Ramaphosa delivered a keynote address during the National Presidential Awards ceremony. The awards recognise SMMEs in the country. Ramaphosa said entrepreneurs are any country's real human capital.

"To grow an economy, you need a whole number of enablers, but the key enabler is human capital, the men and women who drive businesses, and these awards are about recognising what they do, their efforts, applauding their innovation, resilience, staying power, and creativity," he said.

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He said many more SMMEs should be awarded for excellence and business success. He also said entrepreneurs need a well-regulated framework for successful businesses.

Netizens unimpressed

His speech left netizens on Facebook unimpressed.

Bulelani Rubushe said:

"Third term, I see no change, and it will never change nor deliver services."

Michael Phillips said:

"I'm sure he just likes the sound of his own voice."

World TV said:

"Africa is not just a continent of the past, it is the continent of the future. With visionary leadership, a resilient economy, and the unstoppable energy of its talented youth, the possibilities are limitless."

Mango Atchar said:

"Best hated president in SA."

Brandon Cupido said:

"This one just talks."

Ramaphosa gives 21-day deadline to register spaza shops

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Ramaphosa gave tuck shop owners 21 days to register their businesses.

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SA Government sets aside R500 million for SMMEs, SA displeased: "Looted by cadres"

He recently addressed the nation after over 1,000 cases of food poisoning were recorded, and he issued the deadline. South Africans believe Ramaphosa should do more than issue a deadline to re-register their spazas.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Tebogo Mokwena avatar

Tebogo Mokwena (Current Affairs editor) Tebogo Mokwena is a Current Affairs Editor at Briefly News. He has a Diploma in Journalism from ALISON. He joined Daily Sun, where he worked for 4 years covering politics, crime, entertainment, current affairs, policy, governance and art. He was also a sub-editor and journalist for Capricorn Post before joining Vutivi Business News in 2020, where he covered small business news policy and governance, analysis and profiles. He joined Briefly News in 2023. Tebogo passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative Email: tebogo.mokwena@briefly.co.za