Freedom Front Plus (FF+) leader Pieter Groenewald has told President Cyril Ramaphosa that the South African economy has shrunk under his leadership. Groenewald was participating in the joint debate on Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the City Hall in Cape Town.
“We must go and look at the real facts and if we go and look at the economy, we will see that when you became the president in 2018, the growth rate, economic growth rate was 1.3%. Last year, it was 0,9%. So, under your leadership, the economy just retreated backward, causing havoc for the people of South Africa.”
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has urged Ramaphosa to stop looking for a pen to sign the NHI, saying in its current form, the Bill is a recipe for disaster.
“Let us not put wool over our people’s eyes and pretend that the ANC is the only party that can protect South Africa and do what is best for the ANC, only serve the ANC,” says Velenkosini Hlabisa, IFP Leader.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has requested Ramaphosa to look at the plight of ex-mine workers and ex-employees of former Bantustan states. The party says the issue of their pensions needs to be resolved speedily.
“To clear my claims as possible because the consequences of our decisions affect people’s lives. Mr President, as some of these pensioners have passed away in 2023 and others long before that who did not get to enjoy the benefits of their labour,” says Bantu Holomisa, UDM leader.
Two days have been set aside for the debate and the President will reply on Thursday.
Video: SONA 2024 – Political parties debate
