The government's partnership with labour, the private sector and civil society is crucial in solving South Africa's problems, Deputy Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene said on Monday.
The government's relationship with the other three had to change for the country to move forward, he told reporters in Mangaung.
“We welcome all concerns from all sides. We need to begin by identifying the problem… and then say what is it that each partner brings to solve the problem?
“What we have to admit is to have an on-going relationship rather than trying to build this relationship when there is a crisis.”
Nene said the Marikana shooting was an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the government, organised business, labour, and civil society.
“We should take advantage of such opportunities than wait when we have a crisis.
“We need to acknowledge our failures and come in as players who want to resolve the problems.”
The government's infrastructure rollout programme, which entailed spending R884 billion in the next three years, was another opportunity for the private sector to forge partnerships with the government.
Nene said the government was willing and ready to lead the relationship between the different sectors of society.