By: Zilungile Mkhize
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says that while South Africa has made significant progress in expanding access to basic services since 1994, economic power remains unevenly distributed.
Mbalula was addressing the media in Johannesburg ahead of the upcoming “People’s March”, scheduled to take place in Gauteng on Saturday.
He highlighted improvements in access to education, healthcare and social protection over the past three decades, but noted that structural inequalities continue to limit broad-based economic participation.
“Too many South Africans remain excluded from meaningful participation in the economy,” Mbalula said.
He added that high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality remain key challenges facing the country, particularly among young people and historically disadvantaged communities.
According to Mbalula, the People’s March is intended to serve as a platform for citizens to voice their frustrations and demands for faster economic reform.
“The march is an expression of the collective demand for accelerated and inclusive economic transformation,” he said.
He emphasised that addressing inequality will require stronger collaboration between government, business and civil society, as well as policies that promote job creation, industrial development and equitable access to opportunities.
The ANC is expected to outline further details about the march and its objectives in the coming days.
