The new ANC leadership intends to implement significant reforms to find permanent answers to energy security and revitalize the country’s struggling economy.
During the economic discussion in Bloemfontein on Friday, the ANC’s leader of economic transformation, Mmamoloko Kubayi, stated that intermittent power outages and unstable energy sources had wreaked unimaginable havoc on the economy and small enterprises.
“The current leadership will be defined by the shift in our approach to accomplishing our goals. We must find permanent answers to energy security because it has caused enormous disruptions for small businesses and households,” she told the gathering comprised of diverse corporate and community organizations.
The dialogue is one of a series of events planned by the ruling party in advance of its January 8 statement festivities in Mangaung, which are scheduled for Sunday.
The discussion brought together energy specialists and academics in the field of energy security.
Gwede Mantashe, national chairman of the ANC and minister of energy and minerals, stated that the country cannot continue with business as usual.
“Another question we must ask ourselves is whether renewable energy alone can resolve the current energy crisis,” Mantashe remarked.
“Reliable energy supply is the driving force behind economic expansion and recovery. We cannot continue this way. Something is wrong, and the specialists should tell us what it is.”
»Planned measures will address the economy and energy issues«