Hlophe hails Zuma as ‘most successful president’

Political parties gathered in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon to scrutinise and respond to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s plans for his new term of office.

Last week, Ramaphosa delivered his first SONA under the Government of National Unity (GNU), outlining the seventh administration’s key priorities. 

 MK Party, now the official opposition, chose instead to highlight Zuma’s legacy instead of debating Ramaphosa's address.

"In all honesty, there is no need to dignify the false and empty promises of the President of the so-called Government of National Unity, as he has repeatedly made commitments that remain unfulfilled—and will never be fulfilled," said Hlophe. 

Zuma attended the session alongside MK Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu, despite recent tensions within the party, including public insults from Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, directed at Shivambu. 

Hlophe credited Zuma with being the only post-1994 president to build universities in provinces that previously had none. 

"President Zuma’s nine years as Head of State were not wasted but marked by progress—increasing life expectancy, expanding access to education, and major infrastructure projects," he said. 

He claimed that under Zuma’s leadership, South Africa’s life expectancy rose from 50 years in 2009 to over 65, largely due to expanded government interventions, including access to antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS. 

"HIV and AIDS-related deaths decreased significantly under President Jacob Zuma, and that is a fact. He also prioritised education, becoming the only post-1994 president to establish new universities, the University of Mpumalanga and Sol Plaatje University in the Northern Cape stand as part of his legacy," said Hlophe. 

He further argued that Zuma spearheaded infrastructure spending, overseeing the construction of more hospitals, roads, and schools than any other South African president. 

"He led the way in driving expenditure on education, healthcare, roads, transport, and basic services," he added. 

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance Leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen reiterated that the party joined the GNU to block another potential nine wasted years by the Mk Party.

"Eight months ago, we entered the GNU for two reasons: first, to block the Economic Freedom Fighters and MK from power; second, to turn South Africa’s economy around. South Africa today is immeasurably better for having the DA in government. And so, we will continue to fight inside this government for more growth, and for more jobs, and to drive the reforms that we so desperately need.

ALSO READ