President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the National Business Initiative (NBI), describing the organisation as a “powerful agent for change” that has helped shape South Africa’s democratic journey over the past three decades.
The President addressed the NBI’s 30th anniversary cocktail reception in Sandton, on Thursday evening.
The event marked 30 years of cooperation between government, business and civil society in advancing South Africa’s economic and development transformation.
“It is truly a privilege to pay tribute to an organisation that has been instrumental in shaping South Africa’s democratic journey.
“For the past 30 years, the National Business Initiative has been a respected voice of responsible business action and a powerful agent for change,” the President said.
He noted that the NBI was founded at a critical time in the nation’s history when the country moved on from the divisive apartheid government to a new democratic dispensation.
“It was launched in 1995 at a time when all of society was being called upon to step forward to build a new nation.
“The formation of the NBI signalled that progressive South African business was ready to be active partners in nation-building and to help define the contours of a new, inclusive economy and society,” the President said.
Historical ties
The NBI’s roots trace back to the late 1980s, when organised business first engaged with the liberation movements in exile.
“These engagements culminated in the formation of the Consultative Business Movement [CBM], the forerunner of the NBI.
“The Consultative Business Movement would go on to play a formative role in the pre-1994 transition period by helping open channels of dialogue between business and the government in waiting, and by actively supporting the peace negotiations.
“The Consultative Business Movement provided the secretariat and administrative support to the CODESA processes that began in December 1991 and later to the Multi-Party Negotiating Forum,” President Ramaphosa reflected.
In 1995, the CBM merged with the Urban Foundation in a move the President described as “rebirth but also continuity”.
“The organisation had already cemented its reputation as a credible, non-partisan and pragmatic partner in the cause of building a new South Africa,” he said.
Modern day South Africa
The President praised the organisation’s ability to respond to the complexities and changing dynamics of South African society.
It has pioneered initiatives in support of transformation, service delivery, skills development, job creation and safety and security.
“Whether through the formation of Business against Crime, the Education Quality Improvement Partnerships, support to the Youth Employment Service or the groundbreaking CEO Initiative, the NBI has been at the forefront of innovation.
“The NBI has a proud history of supporting pathways for employment. The organisation’s Skills and Youth Employability programme has become even more critical at a time when we have to urgently align the skills being produced by our institutions of higher learning with those needed by the economy of the future.
“This pathfinding work is anchored in a deep appreciation that creating a sustainable, equitable and thriving economy relies on collective action,” President Ramaphosa said.
A government at work
The President outlined the Government of National Unity’s priorities, which include driving inclusive growth and job creation, addressing poverty and the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical and developmental State.
He acknowledged past challenges, including State capture, the energy crisis and corruption, as well as failures in service delivery.
“Overcoming these challenges will require of us the mettle that helped dismantle apartheid. It will require the spirit of collectivism that defined our transition.
“We do so at a time when our economy is showing promising signs of recovery. Growth is improving, investment is expanding and more jobs are being created. National debt has stabilised and our sovereign outlook has improved.
“The reform agenda being driven through Operation Vulindlela has gained significant momentum, enabling growing confidence in our economic trajectory,” he said.
Furthermore, the energy crisis is now “largely behind us”, sound governance has been restored at a number of State Owned Enterprises, with a “marked improvement” in the performance of rail and port systems, the President said.
Government has also embarked on a R1 trillion infrastructure build programme, the largest in South African history.
“As the structural reforms take root, as investor confidence returns and the green shoots of growth break ground, there can be no better time to seize this window of opportunity.
“As a bridge-builder during the political transition, we call on the NBI to help us complete the bridge we set out to build in 199; the bridge from the promise of our Constitution to meaningful and tangible economic transformation.
“We thank you for your enduring contribution to South Africa’s democratic journey,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
