South Africa's Zuma says economy is "weathering the storm"

President Jacob Zuma speaks during the official launch of the eChannel Pilot Project of the Department of Home Affairs in Midrand, Johannesburg, April 7, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

PRETORIA (Reuters) - South African President Jacob Zuma said on Monday that Africa's most industrialised economy was "weathering the storm" as he unveiled initiatives to accelerate growth include a private and public sector fund for small business. South Africa's economy is barely growing, hobbled by power cuts last year, low commodity prices, drought and political ructions that have unnerved investors. Zuma was speaking after receiving a report from a government-business task team appointed in February to explore ways to kick-start economic growth. (Reporting by Mfuneko Toyana; Writing by Ed Stoddard; Editing by James Macharia)