‘The Ramaphoria has worn off’ – Opposition MPs respond to Ramaphosa speech

Members of Parliament debated Ramaphosa's address in the National Assembly on Tuesday. 

Only the African National Congress hailed the president for a job well done, while the Democratic Alliance (DA), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Freedom Front Plus saw few highlights in last week’s speech. 

ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina told MPs that the sixth administration remained resolute in dealing with the rampant crime and corruption.  

“The spirit of your address Mr President was an appeal for your resilience and courage in this time of crisis as we battle with two major challenges, which is coronavirus and the struggling economic growth. 

“We’ve already demonstrated in the manner in which we have processed the auditor general’s first report on the expenditure of Covid-19 relief funds,” she said. 

“I want to state it categorically that no member of the ANC has ever been instructed to cover up corruption,” she added. 

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An unconvinced Julius Malema disagreed. 

The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) labelled Ramaphosa as incompetent. 

“You are incompetent, incapacitated and the most unreliable human being. Perhaps it is something you learnt when you worked as a legal officer for the Oppenheimers. You are here pretending as though you believe in South Africa’s case, yet it is a lie.  

“It has now been three years since you took office, and we can all say you have achieved nothing that is worth mentioning.” 

Leader of the official opposition party, John Steenhuisen, also came down on Ramaphosa like a ton of bricks. 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader said Ramaphosa had again failed to offer anything tangible beyond his promises. 

“The entire speech was full of massive contradictions between noble-sounding pledges and the reality of the ANC government’s actions.  

“The president repeatedly spoke of reforms, but what is clear from his actions – or rather, his inactions – is that he means for things to stay exactly the same.” 

He vowed DA MPs would take it upon themselves to effect reform when the DA tables several bills in the coming weeks, including the cheaper energy bill, fiscal responsibility bill and the public finance management amendment bill. 

DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone piled on the criticism. 

“I can tell you now, without a shadow of a doubt, the ‘Ramaphoria’ has well and truly worn off,” said Mazzone. 

“We all know now where the power starts and where the power stops and we can tell you, Mr President, that it’s not with you.” 

Unlike previous years, the events that mark the start of the parliamentary year were met with few disruptions.  

MPs will continue to debate Ramaphosa’s fifth State of the Nation Address on Wednesday. 

Ramaphosa will respond to the debate on Thursday.