CAPE TOWN, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- South Africans must move forward the economic transformation as a major task in 2017, President Jacob Zuma said in his New Year message on Friday.
"We need to change the commanding heights of the economy, and increase the participation of black people as owners and managers," Zuma said.
Progress made on the achievement of this goal will greatly enhance the national reconciliation programme, the president noted.
Business, government and society must work together on this national imperative, he said.
Economic transformation and nation building are key in 2017, he added.
Zuma also stressed the need to make meaningful progress on the land reform and restitution programme in 2017, in line with the Constitution.
Nation building and promoting social cohesion will need to elevate in 2017, said Zuma.
One of the key tasks in this regard should be a heightened fight against racism, according to Zuma.
"All institutions and businesses must promote inclusion and non-racialism. Nobody must be excluded on the basis of colour or race, through subtle and unconstitutional means," Zuma said.
"We are one people. Regardless of the challenges we face, we must continue to work together, to build the South Africa of our dreams," he stressed.
Jobs remain high on the list of priorities of South Africans, Zuma said.
"In this regard, we must continue to promote unity in action to reignite economic growth," the president said.
The collaboration between business, labour and government to support the economy, which is one of the key achievements of the year 2016, must continue in the New Year, he said.
The year of 2016 saw further progress in extending services to South Africans, including housing, water, electricity, accessible education, health care, roads, transport, social grants and in fighting hunger through public employment schemes and other programs, according to Zuma.
He said the country moved a step further this year in fighting poverty, inequality and unemployment, as South Africans continued working hard together, to reverse the legacy of apartheid colonialism.
The year 2017 must be a decisive one for the country as South Africans take the reconstruction and development programme forward, Zuma said. Enditem
A member of the Sanhe elementary school football team practices kick-ups on Friday. Photo: CFP Ma's grandmother looks on as she does her homework. Photo: CFP A pair of boys enjoy some target practice.Photo: CFP As a training session begins Johnny Bench Womens Jersey , the coach gives a team talk. The girls train their dribble skills.Photo: CFP Posters showing famous football players hang near the pitch to inspire the kids. Photo: CFP
Girls left behind by their migrant worker parents in Southwest China are using their fleet soccer footwork to take steps towards a brighter future and achieving their goals.
Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, 200 kilometers from Chongqing, is near the Three Gorges Dam and nestled between imposing mountains and fast-flowing rivers. The region is ethnically diverse, with 29 minorities sharing the dramatic landscape Authentic Anthony DeSclafani Jersey , but is economically underdeveloped.
This has led to most of the villagers of working age moving away to become migrant workers and leaving their offspring - mostly girls - behind, which can make life hard for these so-called "leftover children."
Three years ago, an elementary school headmaster in Sanhe village named Sun Xiaoming decided to give the children something to fill their time. He organized a football team to help his students to "study well and live happily." Most of the players are girls.
Few Chinese parents are eager for their children to take up sports, as they fear injury and prefer their children to focus purely on their academic studies. But Sun believed that he could link football Authentic Joey Votto Jersey , with its fancy steps, to local dance traditions and win people over.
One by one Sun persuaded families to allow their girls to play "the beautiful game."
Ma Lingqiao is one of his star players. It was hard to persuade her family as they didn't see the point of letting her play. "We are striving to make a living away from home, saving little money. We want her to study and get a decent job. Not play football," Ma's mother told reporters.
But Sun was able to point to Lu Juhua Authentic Billy Hamilton Jersey , one of his football players that was given a place in an urban school in Chongqing based on her sporting skills. This education might put her on a path to a more prosperous urban life. This is the dream for many of Sun's players.
"I know Messi and Ronaldo, but I haven't seen them play football," Ma said, as her family cannot afford cable TV and sports channels. After three years of training Authentic Scooter Gennett Jersey , Sun's team was ready to compete.
In November, the village team beat a Chongqing city club that has a decades-long football tradition.
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