Cape Town - Various parties and industries welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech at the opening of parliament, but with suggestions.
He gave his first speech since the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) as the 7th administration began on Thursday.
During debates on the opening of Parliament, DA leader John Steenhuisen said the GNU was South Africa’s chance to free itself from populism, division and economic decline.
“This is our opportunity to build South Africa into the prosperous country it can be – together,” he said.
“The Government of National Unity means that every South African stands before a choice: help us build, or stand with the breakers?”
Premier Alan Winde reacted to Ramaphosa’s address and promised that the province would contribute to building a better South Africa, but that they would hold the GNU accountable and engage in robust debates when necessary. Premier Winde also said he was committed to ensuring the province’s best interests.
“This province has the fastest-growing population in the country; nationally we have the third-highest population, yet we only get the fifth-largest budgetary allocation. I will fight for our fair share of the budget for our residents.
“Our province needs adequate funding for our disaster management response and to build back for the future. We have had more than a week of rain damaging or destroying 44 000 structures, affecting 200 000 people.
“I commend Minister of Co-operative Governance Velenkosini Hlabisa and his team for their speedy response in declaring a provincial disaster. There is clearly a new feeling behind this GNU to build a new and better country.”
He told Ramaphosa that they will still fight for more power over critical functions, such as policing.
“I will work with Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, but I am going to fight for more devolution of policing powers. Together we will come up with solutions that will make this province safer for our residents.”
Meanwhile, Pieter Groenewald, the FF Plus leader and Minister of Correctional Services said the country’s economic growth rate was lower than the rest of the continent’s and that rampant crime and a dysfunctional criminal justice system hurt the economy and deterred investment.
“The shortcomings of the country’s criminal justice system need to be addressed thoroughly and holistically, because it is hindering the economy. Unemployment is at 42%, with 60% of youth jobless. Local governments are mostly dysfunctional, impacting businesses and service delivery.
“Infrastructure requires urgent attention, and public sector appointments should be on merit. The FF Plus is committed to rebuilding the country through the Government of National Unity.”
Leader of the Umkhonto weSizwe party in Parliament, John Hlophe has described President Ramaphosa’s address as “appalling”.
“The speech was appalling to say the least. It is very clearly the president did not prepare the speech himself. If anything, it is the parties in the GNU, my guess is that it was prepared by DA members...
“There is so much lies contained in the speech. I regard the president as a serious liar, a serious-minded liar. Firstly, he says his government, the ANC that he leads has created more than two million jobs, we are South Africans we know he is lying. That is not true. If anything, the rate of unemployment in this country is almost 35 percent now. So, we have lost more jobs than we have created,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Jacques Moolman said: “What he (Ramaphosa) now needs is to back up his vision of results-driven public-private partnerships with the required urgency to get the job done.
“Overall the Cape Chamber is greatly encouraged by the president’s vision of a ‘comprehensive social compact with a clear programme of action’. What is needed is an unwavering commitment to solutions that serve the best interests of all our people.”
The AA supported Ramaphosa’s announcement to review the basket of essential food items exempt from VAT and administered prices, including the fuel price formula.
“Fuel prices impact all South Africans and an assessment of the pricing formula is necessary to determine whether all components are still necessary.
“While we have been making the call for a fuel price review, little has been done to initiate such a review. The announcement by President Ramaphosa in his address was therefore extremely significant and a step in the right direction.”
The AA believes there is room for movement in specifically the Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy portion of the taxes.
Marlene le Roux, Disability Activist said for most people with disabilities jobs creation begins and ends with internships.
“Why can’t the government implement a policy to incentivise companies/organisations/authorities/government administration to create meaningful and sustainable jobs for people with disabilities?
“A last policy suggestion is: why not demand of each ministry to include in its plans a specific aspect in terms of improvement of the lives of PWD? Whether it is in the sector of transport, job creation, education, accessibility of administrational services, actually all ministries.”