For everyone in the country no matter their economic circumstances, evidence of the devastation of poverty, inequality and unemployment is inescapable, noted Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Gauteng Provincial Social Cohesion Summit in Ekurhuleni.
“The material conditions under which our people live represent the greatest challenge to the advancement of social cohesion,” he said.
He said social cohesion could be key to creating an equitable society. However, for it to be attained all social partners needed to work together to ensure that all people in the country were educated and had skills, were employed, enjoyed a decent standard of living and felt safe and secure.
Acknowledging that there are many obstacles to be overcome before reaching the ‘Promised Land’, Ramaphosa said: “The material conditions under which our people live represent the greatest challenge to the advancement of social cohesion.” He pointed out that government was aware that it could not move SA forward alone and was willing to work with all social partners to create an enabling environment for inclusive economic growth and job creation.