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| Zuma promises half a million jobs | Zuma promises half a million jobs |
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| New South African President Jacob Zuma has promised to create half a million jobs this year in his first state of the nation address. | New South African President Jacob Zuma has promised to create half a million jobs this year in his first state of the nation address. |
| He said fighting poverty was his priority, a week after South Africa officially announced it was facing its worst recession in 17 years. | He said fighting poverty was his priority, a week after South Africa officially announced it was facing its worst recession in 17 years. |
| "We must act now to minimise the impact of this downturn on those most vulnerable," he said in Cape Town. | "We must act now to minimise the impact of this downturn on those most vulnerable," he said in Cape Town. |
| But he also told parliament the government had to spend wisely. | But he also told parliament the government had to spend wisely. |
| Mr Zuma's trade union allies are demanding more spending and deeper interest rate cuts, but the president is also wary of scaring off investors, say analysts. | Mr Zuma's trade union allies are demanding more spending and deeper interest rate cuts, but the president is also wary of scaring off investors, say analysts. |
| The economic downturn will affect the pace at which our country is able to address social and economic challenges President Jacob Zuma Jacob Zuma's challenges | The economic downturn will affect the pace at which our country is able to address social and economic challenges President Jacob Zuma Jacob Zuma's challenges |
| "Between now and December 2009, we plan to create about 500,000 job opportunities," he told MPs. | "Between now and December 2009, we plan to create about 500,000 job opportunities," he told MPs. |
| Mr Zuma, whose African National Congress Party (ANC) swept into power in April elections on the back of strong support from unions and the poor, cautioned against any expectations of a quick fix. | Mr Zuma, whose African National Congress Party (ANC) swept into power in April elections on the back of strong support from unions and the poor, cautioned against any expectations of a quick fix. |
| "The economic downturn will affect the pace at which our country is able to address the social and economic challenges it faces. But it will not alter the direction of our development," he said. | "The economic downturn will affect the pace at which our country is able to address the social and economic challenges it faces. But it will not alter the direction of our development," he said. |
| The BBC's Karen Allen in Cape Town says delivery has been the weak point with past ANC governments, generating frustration at how long it has taken to redistribute wealth in the post-apartheid era. | The BBC's Karen Allen in Cape Town says delivery has been the weak point with past ANC governments, generating frustration at how long it has taken to redistribute wealth in the post-apartheid era. |
| He said a 787bn rand ($98bn; £60bn) spending programme announced in this year's budget - and including funds for schools, transport, housing and sanitation - must be properly planned. | He said a 787bn rand ($98bn; £60bn) spending programme announced in this year's budget - and including funds for schools, transport, housing and sanitation - must be properly planned. |
| "In the face of the economic downturn, we will have to act prudently - no wastage, no rollovers of funds - every cent must be spent wisely and fruitfully," he said. | "In the face of the economic downturn, we will have to act prudently - no wastage, no rollovers of funds - every cent must be spent wisely and fruitfully," he said. |
| Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela was among those at parliament. | Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela was among those at parliament. |
| Are you in South Africa? What do you think of President Jacob Zuma's first major speech as leader? Send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in South Africa? What do you think of President Jacob Zuma's first major speech as leader? Send us your comments using the form below: |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |