Ramaphosa 'must be honest' about SA's problems during SONA

Several organisations took part in an event hosted by Defend Our Democracy on the eve of Ramaphosa's address in Cape Town. 

More than 70 organisations, including the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Section 27, Freedom Under Law, Helen Suzman Foundation and trade union Solidarity were signatories to a memorandum which was delivered to the president.

Defend Our Democracy's Nonkululeko Mntambo, who read the memorandum, said South Africans were let down by political leaders during a time when there was a need for visible and effective leadership.

"We would have hoped that you, Mr President, and members of your cabinet would have been addressing the nation daily on the energy crisis, reporting back on what plans are in place and what are the accountability measures and consequences should you fail in this regard. But this has not been the case.

"Instead, we have all been left literally and figuratively in the dark. It gives us the impression, which we hope is not true, that there simply isn't a plan to deal with the enormity of the crisis the country faces," said Mntambo.

Mntambo urged the president to be honest in his address.

"As you address the nation at the opening of Parliament, we urge you to ensure that you honestly reflect on the severity of the problems that beset the country. 

"We hope that there will be no whitewashing of the role of government, both the previous and the current administration under your leadership, in creating these problems or simply not dealing with them."

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