“In order to ensure that we can turn the economy around in the shortest possible time, we are drawing on the experience of 2008 and 2009 when the economy was previously in recession,” he said during a Q&A session in the National Assembly yesterday (Thursday).

He noted that the areas in which interventions would be carried out included the energy, manufacturing, transport, mining and agricultural sectors, adding that the aim was to improve South Africa’s exports to the rest of the continent, and reclaim parts of the domestic market. Zuma emphasised that boosting the rate of investment in the economy – through initiatives like Invest South Africa – and bolstering investment in infrastructure was critical to reignite growth in country.

“Unlocking new investment and ensuring better coordination across a range of economic policy instruments available to the state and with our social partners will be important,” he concluded.