WATCH: Nothing of value expected in SONA, say opposition parties
Opposition parties aren’t expecting any fireworks from President Cyril Ramaphosa when he takes to the podium on Thursday evening to deliver the State of the Nation Address.
Ramaphosa is set to list the government’s achievements and priorities during his final SONA before the general elections later this year.
However, opposition MPs do not believe there is much to report on.
DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube said Ramaphosa only scored only one out of 10 in their books.
"I would rate him a solid F, which would be a 1 out of 10 because I am of the view that South Africa is in a far worse position today than it was five years ago when this administration took over in 2019.
“Our view is that there is nothing that that the president can say today that could give any comfort to the unemployed South Africans; our view is that this is his last SONA," she said.
#SONA2024 [WATCH] DA Chief Whip Siviwe Gwarube rated President Cyril Ramaphosa’s performance at 1 out of 10. pic.twitter.com/XlWzpndQt5
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) February 8, 2024
These thoughts were echoed by the IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa, who said Ramaphosa's administration had done nothing to advance the lives of most South Africans.
"The president has been a dismal failure. We all had hope when the ANC was bold enough to change the administration of state capture, but by their own admission, we are currently in state capture two.
“The daily lived conditions of South Africans have been disastrous, the laundry list of challenges is very, very long, and the president has been unable to change the situation. He is a major disappointment," he said.
#SONA2024 [WATCH] IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa says Ramaphosa’s administration has done nothing to advance the lives of South Africans. pic.twitter.com/NI6jd2ZzKc
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) February 8, 2024
But ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri believes the president's performance has been good.
"If you look at the performance record of the president and the cabinet that he leads, it would suggest that South Africa is a far more respected country amongst the nations of the world. Perhaps the last time that happened was when Nelson Mandela was president," said Bhengu-Motsiri.
This year could also be Ramaphosa's first SONA without any interruptions.
The EFF, which has often interrupted Ramaphosa with points of order, won’t be in attendance following the suspension of six of its MPs, including leader Julius Malema.
#SONA2024 [WATCH] ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu- Motsiri says President Cyril Ramaphosa’s performance was above par. pic.twitter.com/R5Q8Z1ojE0
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) February 8, 2024
