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The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) welcomes the remarks delivered by ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa during the closing session of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Ekurhuleni on 4 August 2025.

In particular, we welcome the reaffirmation of the industrial policy as an overarching policy instrument within which the macro and microeconomic policy will be subordinated, along with the commitment to build a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient economy.

The Youth League is especially pleased by the announcement of support mechanisms for exporters and efforts to expand South Africa's trade markets in response to the punitive tariffs announced by the United States.

Of great significance to us is the announcement of export quotas, export restrictions of raw commodities, including export taxes and other interventions to assist value-added producers and exporters. This is a clear response to one of the long-standing demands of the ANCYL, that our economy must not be left at the mercy of unregulated global markets but must be actively protected and reshaped in the interests of transformative inclusive growth, youth-empowering reindustrialisation, and job creation.

However, we must be clear: this is not the first time such commitments have been made by the President and the NEC. The Youth League therefore demands swift and decisive implementation. Too often, progressive policy announcements are not matched by practical execution. We call on the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and all relevant state entities to move from policy discussion to action, with concrete timelines, transparency, and public accountability.

The time for talk is over. Our generation is hungry for change and cannot afford to wait any longer.

The ANCYL will monitor this process closely and will not hesitate to hold the government accountable for the full and urgent implementation of the commitments made.

Issued by ANCYL Secretary General Comrade Mntuwoxolo Ngudle