Here in Kimberley the Big Hole stands as a monument to the contributions which workers have made to our country's economic development. But it also reminds us of the challenges of diversifying our economy and creating new jobs. The Jobs Summit will give government, business and labour the chance together to find a path to sustainable job creation. This crucial initiative will succeed only if all sectors make a contribution. As preparations for the Summit are being finalised, government is looking at how it can further enhance job-creation.
Organised workers are indispensable to our efforts to deracialise our economy.
Whatever the final details of the Employment Equity Bill it is based on a fundamental principle. And that is, that we do need corrective action to put right the historical wrongs caused by discrimination and prejudice against Africans, Coloureds, Indians, women and the disabled. We know that we can count on unions within our Alliance, as proud custodians of non-racialism, to ensure that this instrument of affirmative action is never used to advance any one group at the expense of others. Workers and their trade unions are at the economic heart of our country. It is you who mine the minerals and produce the exports that fuel our growth.