Ramaphosa to respond to SONA debate at 2pm

President Cyril Ramaphosa will reply to the State of the Nation Address debate at 2pm on Thursday.

The joint sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday held the second day of the debate on his speech, with opposition political parties not mincing their words in criticising his administration.

PAC leader, Mzwanele Nyhontso, slammed the President’s address as having failed to address the bread and butter issues.

National Freedom Party MP Shaik Emam told Ramaphosa that he will never win the fight against corruption because it is deep-rooted. “You cannot say to a member of your party, ‘do not steal for yourself but steal for the party. All political parties wherever they govern rely on tenders,” he said.

The DA’s John Steenhuisen accused the President of dressing up his speech by quoting a poem from American renowned poet Maya Angelou, Still I rise.

The governing party reiterated its stance in defending and strengthening law enforcement agencies as well as cracking the whip on corruption.

Ministers on the other hand used the debate to address some of the issues that have been in the public domain.

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola defended the judiciary, following accusations against judges recently, while Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, warned military veterans to be cautious and not be used to sow divisions.

Her remarks come as ex-combatants of the ANC’s former military wing are camping outside Zuma’s home at Nkandla, despite calls from the Umkhonto weSizwe National Council on the ANC leadership to discipline Zuma for not appearing before the State Capture Inquiry on Monday.

2021 State of the Nation Address Debate Day 2: