Because development brings great structural change that affects different interests in different ways, the achievement of our goals requires of us the capacity to mobilise a highly complex society in pursuit of broad national objectives. It means building a broad partnership of major social forces. Considering the condition of South African society a few short years ago I believe that we are have made great progress in this regard. What is deeply encouraging is the way in which civil society is becoming actively engaged in transforming our society, in particular to deal with the most difficult challenges we face. Our recent Job Summit brought business, labour and the development community together with government to work for job creation.
Business actively assists in our critical battle against crime.
The religious community has come together with political parties to give a lead with government in the moral regeneration that will help fight corruption and crime. Farmers, and farm workers are working with the police and army to combat rural criminality. I am pleased to be able to report to you that late last year a national Partnership Against Aids was launched in South Africa, by Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, bringing together all sectors of our society, including the private sector, to combat this epidemic. Such partnerships of social forces give our society a resilience and stability that keep it on a steady course whatever the vagaries of political mood. This environment allows government to take a longer view and consistently apply sound and sustainable economic policies.