President Cyril Ramaphosa’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on February 8, 2024, has drawn strong reactions from opposition parties, with the Democratic Alliance (DA), GOOD, NEHAWU, and Not In My Name International expressing contrasting views on the current state of South Africa.
TULANI NGWENYA
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – In a flurry of responses to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA), political leaders and activists have voiced contrasting views on the current state and future trajectory of South Africa. Among them, the Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), John Steenhuisen MP, painted a grim picture of the nation’s condition under ANC rule, contrasting it with hopeful prospects under a potential DA-led coalition government.
Steenhuisen criticised the ANC’s performance, claiming that over the previous five years, President Ramaphosa’s promises had fallen short and that as a result, South Africa had regressed, with rising rates of unemployment, poverty, and crime. He lambasted the ANC’s handling of the economy, citing stagnant growth and escalating corruption as key concerns. Steenhuisen pointed out the need for a new government rooted in pragmatic solutions and fiscal responsibility, highlighting the DA’s vision for reform.
In a similar vein, Brett Herron of GOOD acknowledged the progress made since apartheid but highlighted persistent challenges, particularly in addressing inequality and spatial segregation. While commending the president for upholding constitutional values, Herron called for concrete action to tackle poverty and improve social security, expressing disappointment at the lack of commitments in these areas.
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President Ramaphosa’s 2024 State of the Nation Address
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On the other hand, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) offered a mixed assessment of the SONA, acknowledging achievements in areas such as job creation and infrastructure investment while lamenting ongoing socio-economic crises. NEHAWU raised concerns about healthcare workers’ conditions and denounced the government’s handling of issues such as water infrastructure and electricity regulation.
Meanwhile, Not In My Name International took a more critical stance, rejecting the president’s address as a reflection of the true state of the nation. The organisation accused the government of failing to address key issues such as the July 2021 unrest, gender-based violence, and food safety, casting doubt on its commitment to accountability and transparency.
As South Africa prepares for its upcoming general elections, these divergent perspectives underscore the challenges and opportunities facing the country as it navigates a critical juncture in its democratic journey. With the ANC’s grip on power loosening and the prospect of coalition politics on the horizon, the path forward remains uncertain but ripe with potential for change.
