• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Features SONA 2020 SONA 2020 | Reactions

Mixed reactions to SONA

14 February 2020, 8:30 AM  |
SABC SABC |  @SABCNews
Cyril Ramaphosa

Cyril Ramaphosa

Image: Twitter @PresidencyZA

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) amid the Eskom crisis, high unemployment and an ailing economy. Ramaphosa delivered the SONA in Parliament on Thursday evening. The speech, delayed for over an hour due to disruption from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), invoked different reactions from political parties and other organisations.

State of the Nation Address by President @CyrilRamaphosa, Parliament, Cape Town. https://t.co/KH78PS7K5W#SONA2020 #SONA pic.twitter.com/9Y8ZBp0MsG

— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) February 13, 2020

Address by President @CyrilRamaphosa at #SONA2020 to #GrowSA pic.twitter.com/kNSvxTMdCp

— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) February 13, 2020

The UDM in Parliament says while it welcomes Ramaphosa’s SONA speech, it did not adequately deal with the challenge of addressing youth unemployment.

UDM Member of Parliament Nqabayomzi Nkwankwa says the President’s speech seemed to be lacking in detail on how government will reduce youth unemployment.

The FF Plus says the bulk of Ramaphosa’s speech was characterised by “cosmetic announcements” without tangible solutions to the country’s problems. Party leader Pieter Groenwald says the issues that the speech has highlighted such as the expropriation of land without compensation will cause more harm to the country’s economic growth than good.

“The other announcements are actual cosmetics. He can refer to the youth and everything, but we don’t get that economic growth. He is not going to create jobs. He is still continuing with the NHI, he is still continuing of land expropriation without compensation. Those are matters that are going to be detrimental for the economic growth. As far as Eskom is concerned, the only positive thing, there is private power producers that will be able to produce the electricity and the municipalities will be allowed to buy from them.”

Groenewald says Ramaphosa’s speech had both positive and negative elements.

WATCH PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA HIGHLIGHT PLANS TO REVITALISE THE AILING SA ECONOMY:

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande says he is happy that the President has acknowledged the need for more funding for institutions of higher leanings to deal with a lack of students’ accommodation. Nzimande says the problem requires all role players including the government to come on board.

COSATU says it welcomes Ramaphosa statement on efforts to save Eskom as long as it does not affect the jobs of workers at the power utility. COSATU president Zingiswa Losi says they will not allow job losses as a result of unbundling.

“We said these are three principle issues. We are not going to allow job losses as a result of unbundling. We don’t want huge tarrifs of electricity for the poorest of the poor in our country. Thirdly, we said no privatisatisation to Eskom. If government can say to us those three issues are not going to take place particularly right now, we are working how we are going to save Eskom. We think that if we are going to get those three principles at least when we are dealing with issues of unbundling, we don’t we should fear.”

The ACDP has described as good news the President’s announcement that independent power producers will sell electricity to municipalities directly so that more energy is produced rather than depending on Eskom alone. Party leader the Reverend Kenneth Moshoe says the announcement is good for economic growth.

“So now that they can bypass Eskom and have a reliable power source, it’s good news for business in South Africa. And we are hoping that not very long, all municipalities will have that direct access which is going to ensure that even the prices of Eskom comes down because competition is always good and is always necessary for the economy.”

ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule says Ramaphosa focused on issues that will help to stimulate the struggling economy and create jobs.

“The focus of the address is about science and technology, skills revolution; it’s about young people who constitute the majority of the population of South Africa. It is so important and the President has actually emphasised those things; building universities, a university of crime and detection in Hammanskraal, university of science and technology.” – Additional reporting by Abongwe Kobokana. 

FOR MORE ON REACTIONS TO PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA’S SONA SPEECH, WATCH VIDEO BELOW: 

Share article
Tags: SONA 2020CosatuUDMACDPFFPlus
Previous Post

SONA 2010 -2020 : A visual representation

Next Post

Memorial service for Ferndale High learner on Friday

Related Posts

Close to 1 800 people have been confirmed to have died in the quakes that have injured thousands of others in the two countries.

Malema offers condolences to Turkey and Syria following earthquakes

6 February 2023, 6:58 PM
[File Photo] the National Assembly.

NFP and ANC file motions of no confidence against IFP office bearers in Nongoma

6 February 2023, 5:02 PM
Paul Mashatile is expected to replace David Mabuza as the country's deputy president.

Four new ANC members have been sworn in as MPs

6 February 2023, 2:46 PM
Fikile Mbalula delivering the Peter Mokaba Memorial Lecture in Mangaung.

We are not moved by threats made by Malema: Mbalula

6 February 2023, 12:00 PM

VIDEO | Swearing in of four new ANC MPs

6 February 2023, 11:07 AM
[File Image] Deputy President Mabuza.

EFF expresses concern over ‘secrecy’ around Mabuza’s resignation

6 February 2023, 10:57 AM
Next Post
The Western Cape government has spoken against the damage of schools during protests.

Memorial service for Ferndale High learner on Friday

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • Green comet to be visible from SA next week
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • Budding Stellenbosch FC star reportedly stabbed to death
  • Shock over proposed SA sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • Kellerman, Bantwini, Zikode win Grammy award
  • We are not moved by threats made by Malema: Mbalula
  • Former Orlando Pirates midfielder John Moeti passes away
  • EFF expresses concern over ‘secrecy’ around Mabuza’s resignation
  • ‘If you are lazy, stay home’, Mbalula advises ANC members

LATEST

UN Oryx helicopter came under fire and a crew member was killed
  • Africa

UN peacekeeping mission condemns fatal shooting of SA soldier in Goma


A rescue team works on a collapsed building, following an earthquake in Iskenderun, Turkey February 6, 2023. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
  • World

President Ramaphosa sends condolences to the people of Turkey and Syria


Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo
  • South Africa

Malesela Teffo remains struck off as an advocate: LPC


Close to 1 800 people have been confirmed to have died in the quakes that have injured thousands of others in the two countries.
  • Politics

Malema offers condolences to Turkey and Syria following earthquakes


  • Uncategorized

SONA 2023


  • Business

Mining production hampered by intense rolling blackouts: Minerals Council


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous SONA 2010 -2020 : A visual representation
Next Memorial service for Ferndale High learner on Friday