Five talking points you may have missed during #SONA19

POLOKWANE – South Africans all around the country sat to listen to a round up of the past year and what the future holds for the country during the 25th State of the Nation Address, delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

You might also want to read: #SONA2019: Here are details you need to know

The theme for this year’s SONA was: “Following up on our commitments: Making Your Future Work Better”.

The Commander in Chief of the Armed forces during the singing of the National Anthem and observation of the 21 gun salute #SONA2019 pic.twitter.com/ItQDrsxIqM

— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 7, 2019

During his lengthy address, Ramaphosa urged South Africans to spend the 25^th anniversary of our freedom asking ourselves whether we have built a society in which all South Africans equally and without exception enjoy their inalienable rights to life, dignity and liberty.

“We must use this time to reflect on the progress we have made, the challenges we have encountered, the setbacks we have suffered, and the mistakes we have committed,” he said.

There were several key issues that Ramaphosa spoke on including land reform, education and elections. We have rounded them up for you.

1. LAND REFORM

‘Land expropriation without compensation’ has been on everyone’s lips and is a policy of the state taking land, without compensation.

You might also want to read: Lim citizens voice their grievances about land reform

During #SONA19, Ramaphosa said as part of accelerating land reform, land parcels owned by the state have been identified for redistribution.

#Ramaphosa: We tasked Deputy President to lead an Inter-ministerial task team on land reform to fast-track land reform #SONA2019

— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 7, 2019

“Strategically located land will be released to address human settlements needs in urban and peri-urban areas. As part of the stimulus package in agriculture, we have invested significantly in comprehensive farmer development support to ensure that restituted and communal land is productively utilised,” he said.

A report on Land Reform is expected to be tabled in March.

2. OIL & GAS DISCOVERY IN SOUTH AFRICA

#Ramaphosa: Yesterday I received a call from Minister @GwedeMantashe1 That the oil giant total will make a big announcement about the new oil and gas discovery around the coast of South Africa #SONA2019

— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 7, 2019

Following an announcement on Thursday that energy giant, Total had found ‘significant’ gas off the southern coast of South Africa, Ramaphosa said This could well be a game-changer for SA and will have significant consequences for our country’s energy security and the development of this industry.

Total’s CEO Patrick Pouyanne said the potential quantities “could be around one billion barrels of global resources, gas and condensate light oil”.

“We are extremely encouraged by the report this morning about the Brulpadda block in the Outeniqua Basin, which some have described as a catalytic find. We congratulate Total and its various partners and wish them well in their endeavours. Government will continue to develop legislation for the sector so that it is properly regulated for the interests of all concerned,” Ramaphosa said.

3. EDUCATION

Speaking on Education, Ramaphosa said a critical priority is to substantially improve reading comprehension in the first years of school, saying it is essential in equipping children to succeed in education, in work and in life.

Moving towards a more digitalised classroom, Ramaphosa says every school child in South Africa will be provided with digital workbooks and textbooks on a tablet device by 2025.

#Ramaphosa: Over the next six years, we will provide every school child in South Africa with digital workbooks and textbooks on a tablet device #SONA2019

— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 7, 2019

“We will start with those schools that have been historically most disadvantaged and are located in the poorest communities, including multigrade, multiphase, farm and rural schools. Already, 90% of textbooks in high enrolment subjects across all grades and all workbooks have been digitised,” he said.

In addition, several new technology subjects and specialisations will be introduced, including technical mathematics and technical sciences, maritime sciences, aviation studies, mining sciences, and aquaponics.

4. THE NHI BILL

The National Health Insurance (NHI) bill will soon be sent to parliament for consideration. The bill is government’s response to calls for universal quality healthcare for all South Africans regardless of income.

While Ramaphosa didn’t go into much detail about NHI, he did say that the NHI will enable South Africans to receive free services at the point of care in public and private quality-accredited health facilities.

#Ramaphosa: We have a funded national quality health improvement plan to improve every clinic and hospital that will be contracted by the NHI #SONA2019

— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 7, 2019

“By applying the principle of social solidarity and cross-subsidisation, we aim to reduce inequality in access to health care,” he said.

5. ELECTIONS

In a few months time, South Africans will go to the polls for the sixth time to vote for national and provincial governments.

#Ramaphosa: We wish to remind all eligible South Africans who have not yet registered as voters that they still have until the proclamation of the election date to register #SONA2019

— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 7, 2019

Ramaphosa says he has engaged with the Independent Electoral Commission and also with the premiers of all provinces and intends to proclaim the 8 May 2019 as the date of the election.

The president concluded by saying that above all else work must be done to get the economy running again.

“I call upon every South African to make this cause your own. Because when we succeed, and of this we are certain,  it is the entire nation that will benefit.

#Ramaphosa: Let us continue to embrace the spirit of citizen activism in line with the injunction, Thuma Mina, in the onward march towards equality, freedom and prosperity for all #SONA2019

— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 7, 2019

raeesak@nmgroup.co.za