President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading a government delegation to the United States, using the trip to introduce the Government of National Unity (GNU) to world leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He is also using the opportunity to sell South Africa’s renewed focus on economic recovery and structural reforms that are facilitating renewed crucial investment in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on 24 September for the first time since the formation of the GNU, Ramaphosa looked to convey a message of renewed optimism in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday, democracy flourishes in South Africa\u2026 We have just held our seventh free and fair general elections since our democracy, paving the way for the formation of a Government of National Unity,” said Ramaphosa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Ten political parties have coalesced around a common agenda for economic growth, job creation, poverty eradication and sustainable development.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSouth Africa is in a new era, an era of great promise,\u201d added the President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ramaphosa told world leaders that the GNU was making \u201cheadway in resolving\u201d some of South Africa\u2019s most pressing challenges, which hampered cause for investment, such as inconsistent electricity supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur economy has started to improve, and investor confidence is on the rise. Our country\u2019s prospects look bright.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The formation of the \u201cbusiness-friendly\u201d GNU (a definition given by some economists for the inclusion of parties with more ‘free-market’ policies) has ignited a wave of investment and positive sentiment about South Africa, signalling a reversal of years of economic stagnation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the coalition agreement in July, several businesses either invested further in South Africa or reversed plans to withdraw their investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n