Ramaphosa hails improved govt–social partners relations

President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses MPs in Parliament, Cape Town.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the presidency has made progress in rebuilding the relationship between the state and its social partners.

Replying to the Presidency budget vote debate, Ramaphosa highlighted that during the era of state capture, the relations between government and business were opaque.

His remarks follow recent positive developments in the country, including an upgraded outlook from stable to positive from international ratings agency Moody’s.

Ramaphosa says it is important to recognise where the country comes from and the recoveries that have been made since state capture.

“The change has been most evident in the relationship between government and those who invest their money in our economy. During the era of state capture, relations between the presidency and business were opaque and advanced the interests of the connected few. Today, the presidency is working with business in a structured partnership to advance growth and to attract investment.”

The investment drive we launched then has made a significant difference.

Of the total of R1.5 trillion in investment pledges over the first five years, a total of R634 billion has already been invested in new factories, new production lines, new mines, renewable energy plants,…

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) June 3, 2026

Ramaphosa has acknowledged that while there may be political differences between parliamentarians and the executive arm of government, there is consensus on the challenges facing the country.

He says most MPs agree that while the government has made some improvements, there are still challenges that require urgent solutions, such as the scourge of crime.

“This debate in many ways has demonstrated that while we may differ on matters of policy and politics, there is a broad agreement on the challenges confronting our nation and on the urgency with which we must address those issues. South Africans expect all of us who are seated here and those who are not here, not to simply diagnose the country’s problems, but to work together to solve them. They expect us to come with solutions. They expect leadership from us. They expect accountability and results.”