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'Common purpose must unite us'

23 July 2009

South Africa can become a wealthier, safer place and provide jobs for all if government, business, labour and civil society work in partnership, says ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa.

It was only through partnerships that South Africa could fulfil its potential and play its rightful role in the region, on the continent and in the world, he told the Leadership Summit in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

"No man or woman or country is an island. There needs to be partnerships between government and business, government and the opposition, government and labour, government and civil society."

Phosa said partnerships need not be "cosy" or "over-familiar".

"There just has to be a common goal of contributing to South Africa," he said, describing the country's current situation as "challenging."

South Africa was a young democracy with pressing socio-economic concerns in a global economy that was in crisis.

'We need each other'

"But all those entities who have invested here have the same interest as us, and we need each other. Government should be able to call upon business," he said.

"We can partner to address the challenges in delivering services."

For partnerships to flourish, transparency, accountability and ethics had to be the cornerstones, he cautioned.

Phosa said transformation should not be about making speeches and attending seminars in Sandton. It was rather about housing, education and health.

'Time to stop making excuses'

"We must ourselves now look beyond excuses. There must be a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption. Both government and business have the responsibility of creating a future for all citizens of this country," he said.

"It's not enough to say what is right – we have to do what is right."

Phosa suggested that as far as service delivery was concerned, tribunals should be created.

"There must be a situation where the public can get answers within days. It is through tribunals that we can work with our President to build a solid public service."

Sapa