You confirmed that national consensus on the most basic questions facing the country is a living reality. This you did because you keenly appreciate that no greater challenge faces government and the private sector than the creation of jobs for the unemployed. Jobs, jobs, and jobs are the dividing line in many families between a decent life and a wretched existence. They are, to many, the difference between self-esteem and helplessness. In broad economic terms, the creation of jobs is, and should be, the basis of a growing economy.
Jobs are, in socio-economic terms, the major means of income distribution.
In terms of governance, jobs and critical for service delivery and payment. Within the context of peace and security, jobs are critical in the efforts to eliminate crime. Yes, the progress of our economy, the success of our democracy and the safety and security of citizens rely in large measure on whether or not society has afforded its members a means of livelihood and peace of mind about where their next meal is going to come from. The Macroeconomic Framework and the many programmes that you had occasion to discuss during the Budget Debates do just this. Now the framework has been set out.