Nyakallo Tefu
The chairperson of the standing committee on appropriations Sifiso Buthelezi has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s historic R500 billion COVID-19 stimulus package announced this week.
Ramaphosa’s economic and social relief measures are aimed at supporting assisting businesses in distress and the poor, particularly vulnerable children and the elderly, who remain the hardest-hit by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The response by the President and government in trying to protect the lives of South Africans is much applauded and citizens are urged to abide by the government’s regulations to avoid the uncontrollable spread of the disease”, said Buthelezi.
“We appreciate the dedication, leadership and commitment that has been demonstrated by the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize and other members of the executive, led by the President, in their efforts to flatten the curve.”
The World Health Organization has predicted that the African continent will in due course become the epicentre of the pandemic with over 300 000 deaths expected, more than the current deaths globally.
Buthelezi said the economic support packages will provide a huge relief to small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), adding that these were the most vulnerable sectors of the economy yet when they operate optimally, they are key to the government’s unemployment, poverty and inequality reduction initiatives.
Buthelezi said all sectors of society and all interest groups need to cooperate and support government’s initiatives of dealing with this pandemic.
“This package will provide a safety net to the most vulnerable sections of society and measures such as these must be intensified if South Africans are to survive the scourge of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Buthelezi.
