Minerals extracted from Africa should be vessel for job creation: Ramaphosa

African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa says the liberation is incomplete without economic emancipation.

Ramaphosa has addressed Liberation Movements in Johannesburg.

It has brought together the ANC from South Africa, Zanu-PF from Zimbabwe, CCM from Tanzania, FRELIMO from Mozambique, the MPLA from Angola and other liberation movements from across the African continent.

Ramaphosa says minerals extracted from the continent should be a vessel for job creation.

“We must recognise that our political independence is incomplete without economic justice. It is incomplete without resolving the issue of land. It is incomplete unless we industrialize, we beneficiate the minerals that are extracted from our land and we create jobs for our youth. As a region we must replace the colonial extractive model with regional value chains, anchored in our resources, driven by our young people and fuelled by innovation.”

Meanwhile, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says liberation movements meeting in Johannesburg have had frank discussions on challenges they face, including corruption.

Mbalula was addressing the summit.

He says other issues addressed include factionalism and internal squabbles.

Mbalula says there is consensus that liberation movements must go back to basics.

He has also blamed foreign forces saying they contribute to challenges experienced by liberation movements.

“Patronage, ideological drift, disconnection from the masses and the collapse of the cadre discipline. We emerged united on several principles which will be codified in the declaration of the summit and programme of action. We reaffirmed that our destiny is about together. We reject all forms of foreign interference. Neocolonialism and digital imperialism.”