SONA: What the people want the President to address
Whether it is expropriation of land without compensation, Eskom, SAA or the declaration of drought-ridden areas as disaster areas, everyone wants President Ramaphosa to address their concerns
LIMPOPO – President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, 13 February (tomorrow) is eagerly awaited as he was facing mounting pressure in the run-up to the delivery of the speech.
Phuti Seloba said in a nutshell citizens want to know how government is going to deal with major infrastructure projects such as roads, job creation and the SAA. “They must allow the private sector to run the SAA.” The state of health of the public health sector is an emergency, he says and audits of the state-owned entities must be done to see which are really necessary. Joblessness is another ticking time-bomb and entrepreneurs must be trained instead of giving as much NSFAS money to train students, many of whom will be unable to find jobs. He further said government must speak with one voice and there must be coherence and consistence to create and sustain hope.
Opposition parties are calling on him to rein in collapsing State-Owned Entities (SOEs), clamp down on corruption and intensify the fight against crime. Fixing the economy is also apparently high on the to-do list expected from the president.
Jacques Smalle, Provincial DA leader, said there are many things which he would like the president to address. He would like to know how long government is going to keep on bailing SOEs out, and when it is going to split Eskom. On a provincial level, he would like to see joblessness addressed as well as foot and mouth disease, which costs the country billions. He would like financial assistance to those who have lost money because of it and at dysfunctional municipalities, he would like those responsible to be held accountable for corruption, fraud and poor governance. He would also like forensic and other SAU investigations reports to be made known, as there is no need to keep it under wraps anymore.
Cosatu speculates on Ramaphosa unveiling plans of using pension funds to cut Eskom’s debt by half. Sizwe Pamla, Cosatu Spokesperson, reportedly confirmed there was an agreement to allow the use of pension funds to pay R254 billion of Eskom’s debt and the agreement between government, business and labour was likely to be signed before the Sona on Thursday.
Jossey Buthane, EFF leader in the province, said the president should first and foremost announce a cabinet reshuffle to get rid of Minister Pravin Gordhan, explain how he is going to save SOEs from total collapse and sabotage, how he is going to prevent the extreme job losses and what his plans for Eskom is. “He should also say when he is going to start expropriation of land without compensation.”
The Public Investment Commission, the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the Unemployment Insurance Fund already have R120 billion in Eskom bonds.
Marcelle Maritz, leader of the Freedom Front Plus in Limpopo, the president should give special attention to farm murders, as every single group should be respected and he never mentions farm murders in parliament. The declaration of drought-ridden areas as disaster areas should also get priority attention, as farmers are the ones who supply the country with food. Corruption, health and the prudent management of finances should also be high on his priority list.
One thing is clear: People expect the president to move from statements of intent to tangible and bold, realistic actions and plans insofar as SOEs are concerned. SAA is in constant need of bailouts and the country cannot afford to pay for it any longer.
Sydwell Sibanda has listed his things the president should address as porous borders, water and sanitation, economic development, job creation, the National Health Insurance, poverty alleviation and crime.
