Prof: Dull speech by the Prez

VICTORY PARK – Amid the militarisation of parliament, the Economic Freedom Fighters’ eviction and the Democratic Alliance’s rejected moment of silence and subsequent walk out, President Jacob Zuma presented his State of the Nation Address.

According to professor of political science at the Saint Augustine College of South Africa, Raphael de Kadt, Zuma’s speech was an attempt to reconcile the party and give themselves a reason to celebrate their achievements.

According to him, the most significant part of his speech was the focus on transformation. “He prioritises radical socio-economic transformation,” the professor said.

“The push to increase development and reduce inequality through the means of land and ownership is a good one, yet the president’s speech lacked sufficient and convincing details [of] how this will be done. The devil always lurks in the details.”

This suggests that only once we see the policies and how they will operate, will we know whether transformation will achieve development and reverse inequality.

De Kadt added that the focus on the land issue could also be a way of calming impatient ANC supporters and members due to the lack of land redistribution.

Zuma went on to congratulate his government, which De Kadt agreed with as he believes that South Africa should give credit to itself for a few things. He cited management of the water supply following the recent droughts; and correctly identifying tourism as a job driver. He also suggested that government’s forthcoming attention to data costs is a good move as ‘data costs are ridiculously high’ in South Africa.

De Kadt also mentioned the lack of Eskom load shedding as a reason to celebrate; and he mentioned the strength of the judiciary system as the government is constantly learning to be Constitutionally compliant.

He pointed out that the speech failed to provide possible solutions to issues such as the funding crisis in tertiary education, developing basic education standards, economic growth and, most importantly, the failures of his government.

“There was no reflection on what government could have done better,” said De Kadt, adding that it was a disappointing speech by a head of state.

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