Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) notes the long anticipated change in the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) that has been voted into office at the governing party’s 54th National Conference. BUSA affirms that business stands ready to work in partnership with the newly elected leadership in the pursuit of creating a conducive environment for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

BUSA said the new leadership will need to take decisive steps to build business confidence thereby clearing the way for investment in the economy, job creation and transformation. “South Africans are looking for clear signs of consistent, ethical and accountable leadership, acting in the best interests of the country”, stated Tanya Cohen, BUSA CEO.

“We call on the newly elected leadership of the ANC to immediately occupy itself with a clear and practical programme of action that will address the country’s declining fiscal and macroeconomic position. Business also expects the leadership of the ANC to embrace the opportunity of strengthening the strategic partnership between government, business and organised labour by using NEDLAC more effectively for robust engagements on national issues such as youth employment; the national energy plan; stimulating small business growth; addressing the crises at many State-Owned Enterprises and restoring good governance and accountability in the public and private sector. The new ANC leadership should use this opportunity to commit itself to working together with social partners in restoring certainty, instilling fiscal prudence and decisively addressing corruption and maladministration thereby creating the conditions for economic transformation and growth” stated Cohen.