STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS 2004
Time to walk the talk: Mbeki
21 May 2004
President Thabo Mbeki opened South Africa's third democratic parliament on Friday by announcing plans to implement the government's policies across every public sector.
Mbeki promised more efficient government delivery to improve the standard of education, fight unemployment, stimulate small business development, and ensure that poverty alleviation, housing and service delivery gained momentum.
Mbeki, starting his second and final five-year term as President, said the authorities would work harder to raise the rate of investment by reducing the cost of doing business in the country and pushing ahead with the restructuring of state-owned parastatals.
"At the beginning of September, we will announce the detailed and enhanced investment plans of the state-owned enterprises, including the financial development institutions", he said.
"The government will also lead the process of ensuring that administered prices do not unnecessarily add
to the general costs of production and the inflationary pressures in our economy", he told Parliament. "Our policies in this regard will be announced by October this year."
Source: BuaNews
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