TRUST US TO GET YOU WORKING
Political freedom has not delivered social and economic justice for all. In fact, South Africa has the most pronounced levels of inequality in the world. Our future, freedom and dignity
depend on our ability to work. But our economy has stagnated, causing devastating levels of unemployment, especially among the youth.
The IFP champions inclusive, market-led economic policies that empower all South Africans and contribute to the country’s overall economic growth and development. We believe that economic emancipation is central to addressing the imbalances of the past. The IFP will get South Africa working.
AN IFP GOVERNMENT WILL:
- Enforce a set 80/20 employment target: companies must employ a minimum of 80% South Africans.
- Reserve job opportunities in the entry-level and low-skill sectors for South Africans, focusing on the youth.
- Reserve the small enterprise market and the spaza shop industry for South Africans.
- Focus on local production and promotion of South African-produced products; this includes support for local film, media and creative industries to compete globally.
- Exempt SMMEs from stringent requirements and remove excessive red tape that holds back small businesses.
- Revamp local economic development and restructure the Small Enterprise Development Agency, to reduce small business failures and create meaningful jobs.
- Empower provinces, districts and municipalities to support agricultural growth through infrastructure, water schemes, education and financing.
- Introduce a Local Economic Development Grant to support rural and township business cooperatives.
- Act on the findings of the Competition Commission report on the high prices of data in South Africa, which are anti-poor, by enforcing a 50% cut in prices.
- Support the expansion of the industrial cannabis and hemp industries, which will be a catalyst for local economic growth and job creation.
- Roll out an Unemployed Graduate Grant of R3000 for a fixed period to assist graduates in finding meaningful employment.
- Redirect some of the billions spent on SETAs to ensure that all graduates are given a 12-month internship at municipalities, provincial and national departments.
- Support small-scale farming as a measure to revitalise the economy, while recognising traditional leaders as a key player in land management and the transformation of the rural economy.
- Overhaul restrictive labour legislation that impedes job creation.
- Promote fiscal restraint and limit public debt.
- Refuse further bailouts for State-Owned Enterprises and, instead, resuscitate SOEs, fostering competition and innovation where possible, while forming public-private partnerships for SOEs that cannot be resuscitated.
- Open the energy market and diversify energy generation.
- Invest in infrastructure while creating a conducive environment for investors.
- Revitalise Ithala Bank, ensuring that it becomes fully functional and a model of a State Bank so that it can deliver on its mandate to uplift poor communities.
