South Africa's finance minister says focus on economic growth, jobs

June 6, 2016 11:05 AM

"We must demonstrate to the world that we are capable of raising growth above the 0.6 and 0.7 percent mark and begin to head to the 2 percent mark," Gordhan said during an interview on SABC televisio

South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan reacts during a media briefing in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 14, 2016.

South Africa needs to focus on boosting economic growth and creating jobs after avoiding a downgrade to "junk status" last week, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Monday.

S&P Global Ratings affirmed the investment grade rating of Africa's most industrialised country on Friday.

"We must demonstrate to the world that we are capable of raising growth above the 0.6 and 0.7 percent mark and begin to head to the 2 percent mark," Gordhan said during an interview on SABC television.