Despite the global economic downturn and the country's worst recession, President Jacob Zuma vowed, in his first State of the Nation address, to create half a million jobs in six months, but he acknowledged it would be tough to meet all his election promises.
"The economic downturn will affect the pace at which our country is able to address the social and economic challenges it faces. But it will not alter the direction of our development," he said. The thrust of his speech was on tackling poverty but he reminded the nation of the tough times ahead.
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