President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoys on Investment have expressed their concern about the recent violence, destruction and loss of life in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng.
The investment envoys are Phumzile Langeni, Jeffrey Radebe, Derek Hanekom, Mcebisi Jonas, Trevor Manuel and Jacko Maree.
During a virtual engagement on August 4, the envoys stressed the importance of restoring stability and rebuilding investor confidence following these events, and have, in response, urged that local government capacity be strengthened to ensure consistent and reliable service delivery.
This, the envoys noted, is “a precondition for investment”.
The envoys did, however, welcome the progress made on economic reforms, notably in the energy sector and emphasised the need for speedy implementation of these reforms and other commitments.
In the envoys’ assessment, the increased pace of Covid-19 vaccinations is “gratifying”, which they said, together with the reforms, “lays the basis for increased economic growth and job creation”.
The discussion also highlighted the opportunities presented by the just energy transition backed by global climate finance commitments, as government prepares for the COP26 climate conference to be held in Glasgow, in the UK, in November.