RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI MP, PRESIDENT OF THE IFP

The President of the Inkatha Freedom Party, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP welcomed the broad thrust of President Jacob Zuma's state of the nation address, although "in language and tone it seemed to indicate a perceptible shift to the left".

Buthelezi said that the speech "contained many pledges which would need to be carefully monitored and evaluated". He also supported the intention to create a "more inclusive economy" and the announcement of the second phase of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

Buthelezi added that "the IFP had long called for a homegrown South African "New Deal" to eliminate unemployment and, just as importantly, the causes of joblessness". He struck the cautionary note that creating optimal conditions for the private sector to prosper was as important as state intervention.

In this regard, Buthelezi said that the IFP would like to hear more details from the President on Tuesday of how the government intends to keeps its laudatory promise to end the culture of dependency and encourage self-reliance.

Statement issued by the Inkatha Freedom Party, June 3 2009

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