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Zuma reassures big business
Johannesburg - There was nothing to worry about in the South African political landscape, ANC president Jacob Zuma assured big business on Wednesday.

"[I am here] to assure the private sector that in terms of the political landscape of this country... they shouldn't really worry," Zuma told around 56 chief executives of some of the largest companies in South Africa at the Johannesburg Country Club.

He was invited by the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) who raised their concerns which included crime, the current power crisis and the skills shortage in the country.

The ruling party president told the SACCI that the country "remained stable all the way".

During the talk, which was closed to the media, Zuma said he highlighted the challenges faced by the South African economy.

Questioned about his close ties with the left - the Congress of SA Trade Unions and the SA Communist Party - Zuma said the ANC was in alliance with the two and there was more debate about policy among the three then anywhere else.

The Financial Mail reported last month that Zuma said in an interview she believed that labour regulations, including minimum wages, meant to guarantee worker rights had the unintended consequence of "counting out the poorest of the poor".

"The trade unions are a reflection of the first economy... the second economy is in fact neglected by all of us. Is it not possible to have the flexibility so that you address both the first and second economy?" he told the FM.

Cosatu had discussed the issue with him, his comments being viewed as a call for greater flexibility in the labour market.

"I didn't say, like you guys [media] wrote, Zuma's changing labour issues," he said.

Rather, he said, the issue was of addressing the needs of the first and the second economy.

Speaking about a possible global recession, Zuma said the manner in which South Africa's economy was put in place made it resilient and able to "weather the storm".

SACCI president Mark Nowitz said the purpose of inviting Zuma was to interact on matters of "common concern".

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