The government is still committed to creating 500Â 000 job opportunities by December through its public-works programme, the Presidency said on Friday.
President Jacob Zuma on Thursday said South Africa would have to wait for an increase in job creation, because of the economic situation.
”Even if the economy begins to grow again next year, we will have to wait a little longer for a significant increase in new job creation,” Zuma told the Confederation of Black Business Organisations in Johannesburg.
In a statement, the Presidency said reports that the government changed its strategy on job creation were ”incorrect” and based on a ”fundamental misunderstanding” of Zuma’s comments.
”These jobs are different and distinct from those that will be created through government’s public-works programme.”
The government remained committed to the targets it set in the public-works programme and to pursuing economic policies promoting job creation.
Speaking about the expanded public-works programme in response to the Presidency Budget vote debate in the National Assembly, Zuma said: ”I reiterate that we intend to create about 500Â 000 work opportunities this year [through the Expanded Public Works Programme], as part of our goal of creating about four million such opportunities by the end of this five-year term.
”Let me emphasise that these measures are not a substitute for the permanent jobs that must be created and sustained in the economy.” — Sapa