Government has rewarded companies that create jobs.

The government has created fertile soil for South African companies to grow, and to the extent that they don't take up the opportunities offered [through public-private partnerships] it is their loss, but if the local companies don't then foreigners certainly will.

These results are pleasing in that good revenue growth was achieved in the current low inflationary environment but many businesses experienced cost increases in excess of inflation, due to start-up costs of increasing capacity and fuel price rises.

Unemployment, foreclosures, bankruptcy - the cure is not more government spending, but helping businesses create jobs.

However, before we make the mistake of patting ourselves on the back, let's remember: government does not create jobs. It only helps create the conditions that make jobs more or less likely. The real credit for our economic renewal belongs to the people of Alabama .

The government is racking its brains to create jobs as it braces itself for a really tough year.