Several organisations have responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nations Address on Thursday evening.
Oxfam South Africa said it welcomes the President’s emphasis on inclusive growth, job creation, anti-corruption reform, and tackling gender-based violence in this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“The acknowledgement that “we can only be strong when we are equal” reflects an important truth: inequality remains South Africa’s defining challenge.
However, the real test of this SONA will not lie in its rhetoric, but in the budget allocations, legislative reforms, and implementation timelines that follow.”
The Institute for Economic Justice said the “recent modest economic uptick provides an opening to pursue structural transformation.”
The government must ensure this turnaround is felt in the lives of ordinary South Africans, not just captured by the wealthy.
“South Africa cannot afford to miss the opportunity to use the more favourable conditions to fundamentally transform the economy. Nor should we allow the narrative that South Africa has ‘turned the corner’ to generate complacency, or blind us to the urgency of addressing the multiple crises facing the country.”
Highlights of the SONA
#2,5 million opportunities created through the Presidential Employment Stimulus.
#The army (SANDF) and the police (SAPS) will be deployed to the Western Cape and Gauteng, to fight gang violence and illegal mining.
5,000 more police officers adding to 20,000 newly appointed.
#Enforcement of gun laws.
#Crack down on corruption using technology and finalising the Punlic Procurement Act.
#Ministerial team to tackle water shortages and report to the Presidency. Some R156 billion committed in water and sanitation infrastructure in the next three years.
Large scale projects underway are the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Ntabelanga Dam and part of the Mzimvubu.
The President also said Municipalities can now be taken to court if they do not provide services. There are already 56 Municipalities in court against National Government.
#R1 trillion invested in public infrastructure for three years.
#By 2030, energy supply will come from clean, cheap, renewable sources.
#Partnership clinched with an international operator to manage the country’s largest- Durban’s Pier 2, container terminal.
#R7,8 billion to black producers through the Blended Finance Scheme.
In addition, 10,000 new extension officers to be employed to support farmers.
14 million cattle will be vaccinated against Foot and Mouth disease in the next 12 months.
#10,5 million visitors in South Africa last year.
#International pledges to the Just Energy Transition are at R250 billion.
#Target of R2 trillion in new mining investment over the next five years.
#Expanding access to child development through the Bana Pele programme.
Picture: Supplied