The hope that President Cyril Ramaphosa would put South Africa first tonight with a pivotal State of the Nation Address (SONA) to serve as impetus for the Government of National Unity (GNU) has been dashed.
What was meant to offer hope for the future, instead raised questions about the President’s intention to treat the parties in the GNU as equal governing partners.
President Ramaphosa once again conducted himself as the President of the ANC and its cohorts who have the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) as a common goal. South Africa and its people come after that.
The President made this very clear as he started his speech by lashing out at President Donald Trump and America, saying South Africa will not be bullied.
He once again unilaterally committed the country to fighting for the Palestinian cause and proceeding with South Africa’s action against Israel in the International Criminal Court (ICC).
After signing BELA and the Expropriation Act into law, the President made it very clear that the National Health Insurance (NHI) is also not negotiable.
He highlighted the consequences of Apartheid with specific reference to unequal landownership, which needs to be redressed. It was undoubtedly a reference to the Expropriation Act.
The usual observations were made concerning the problems everyone is familiar with, such as restoring the economy to create jobs through a “professional” public service.
He also mentioned other innovative plans to improve the public service by, among other things, making use of artificial intelligence (AI). This should be taken with a grain of salt, just like his promises of “super cities”.
Mention was made of roads that need fixing, sewage flowing through streets and infrastructure that needs urgent attention – followed by a promise that plans to address these issues will be put in place.
With expropriation without compensation now a reality, the prospect of large investors being on the verge of throwing money at South Africa sounds even more unlikely than before.
The President evaded all matters of crucial importance. No decisive steps to amend policy so as to attract investors and facilitate economic growth.
Nothing but more empty promises of a dynamic and functional railway system, clean and reliable water, and constant power supply.
The few rays of hope, brought about by the GNU partners, were highlighted as government’s only achievements. The President even said that the private sector should not be seen as hostile to the state and could help with economic growth.
All the undertakings and promises, such as the large investments that will, according to the President, start flowing into the country soon, are old news for South Africans.
There is no sign of it actually happening, though. President Ramaphosa’s promises no longer offer the people any hope.
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