Top news items in major S. African media outlets

The following are highlights of South African major media outlets on Thursday.

-- South Africa will need to take decisive action in order to strengthen the economy, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said following the release of data showing that the economy had contracted. (Business Day)

-- Ratings agency Fitch on Wednesday affirmed South Africa's investment grade credit, and surprisingly kept its outlook stable, but it warned that political and growth concerns should be addressed.

This follows rating reviews by Moody's in May and Standard & Poor's last week. Importantly, all three ratings agencies have kept South Africa above non-investment grade, also known as junk status. (Fin24)

-- The economic potential of Gauteng Province won't be fulfilled until the youth is able to acquire skills and find employment, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Gauteng Economic Indaba, Ramaphosa said young people must be recognized as dynamic agents of change who are capable of finding diverse, innovative and creative solutions to problems. (African News Agency) Endit