While Africa as a continent is now reaping the benefits of responsible macro-economic management and deepening integration into the world economy‚ challenges persist‚ President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday. Poverty remained a key challenge and the widespread unemployment‚ especially among the youth‚ contributed to
Climate change also posed a growing threat to long-term development‚ the South African leader added.
He
made the remarks during his welcoming speech at the New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation
Committee meeting‚ which forms part of the African Union summit taking
place in Johannesburg.
Despite the challenges‚ Zuma said there
was a huge difference from what Africa was decades ago because the
continent now had the confidence to confront these challenges head on.
“We
continue to celebrate the fact that a number of the fastest growing
economies in the world are in Africa. More people are being liberated
from the shackles of poverty‚ and more children are recipients of the
right to education. Our institutions and democracies are much stronger
today — generating optimism‚ high expectations and unleashing our
enormous potential‚” he stated.
