In a statement issued by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), the CEO of SACCI Mr Alan Mukoki said”

“The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the outcome of the elections of the office-bearers of the ANC. As the ruling party we also congratulate the ANC for the display of a peaceful, mature democratic process which bodes well and cements the concept of transparent democratic contestation and processes in the choosing of political leaders in South Africa.

We hope and would like to urge the new ruling party office-bearers together with the new NEC members to be elected, to bear down and take advantage of the leadership opportunity that has been presented, to drive the necessary and urgent decisions, to restore confidence in South Africa as an Investment destination.

The challenges we face in the area of fiscal consolidation, unemployment, the current high debt to GDP ratio, and the sovereign credit ratings downgrades are matters that require visionary leadership and urgent drastic action to be taken. This in the contextual background where the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality remain the most important overall challenge that need to be eradicated.

As the business community we look forward to engaging and working with the newly elected President of the ANC Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, the new office-bearers and wish them the best of luck over their impending five year term in office.

We take this moment to wish the ANC leaders prosperity and good fortune as they set out to make what we hope will be a positive contribution to economic growth and job creation. Congratulations to those who were elected.”