MPs were debating Zuma’s State of the Nation Address in the National Assembly. The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) Reverent Kenneth Meshoe leader says: “This ambitious plan brings hope to the nation facing high unemployment.”
The Freedom Front Plus (FFPlus) has however cast aspersions on government figures on land redistribution programme. The FFPlus said it was relieved when the president reiterated that nationalisation of mines was not government policy. But has challenged government figures which show that large swathe of land was still in the hands of the white people.
The party’s Pieter Mulder also offered his version of history by stating: “Sir Africans never in the past lived in the whole of South Africa. The bantu speaking people moved from the equator down, while white people moved from the Cape up to meet each other at the Kei river. There is sufficient proof that there were no Bantu speaking people in the Western Cape and North Western Cape, these parts form 40% of South Africa’s land surface.”
The Independent Democrats (ID) believe combatting corruption should also have been a key component of the address. ID MP Hanief Hoosen says: “Will you not accept Mr. president that all noble attempts to create jobs, through infrastructure investment and provide better service delivery are being weakened by the high rate of corruption?”
There were also lighter moments when the IFP leader complained about the noise in the chamber while ANC veteran Andrew Mlangeni was addressing the house.
President Zuma will reply to the debate tomorrow.
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