PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa at the playing of the national anthem before delivering his Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) for the Seventh Administration on July 18, 2024. The upcoming SONA presents a critical opportunity for President Ramaphosa to outline a comprehensive strategy that responds decisively to the core challenges afflicting the nation. Picture: Jairus Mmutle/GCIS
Dr. Reneva Fourie
SOUTH Africans are tired of the petty, point-scoring utterances of politicians.
The 30.4 million people living below the poverty line and over 70 per cent of black children facing hunger, the unbearable cost of living and the rampant growth of criminal syndicates in various sectors demand our attention. Given this reality, the desire for change is palpable.
We live in a beautiful country, rich in resources and deserve decisive and united governance focused on creating a better life for all. Politicians must focus on real solutions rather than engage in posturing or endless bickering. It is time for our leaders to cohere and prioritise the nation’s well-being over trivial disputes.
On 6 February, President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA). This annual speech is a significant moment in the political calendar as it outlines the government’s priorities for the year ahead. In past years, the content of the SONA was primarily influenced by discussions and outcomes from the ANC Lekgotla – a strategic planning gathering of the African National Congress – and later refined by the Cabinet Lekgotla.
As the ANC’s once-dominant control over state power faces increasing challenges, the party is forced to return to the purpose of its formation. It is finally responding to the need for more than empty political rhetoric and once again focusing on improving the lives of South Africans by placing quality services, jobs and a peaceful and secure environment at the top of its priorities.
However, the political landscape in South Africa has evolved significantly, particularly since the formation of the current Government of National Unity (GNU), which now includes a broader spectrum of political parties. While the GNU could have allowed greater collaboration towards dynamic solutions, it is becoming a platform for deepening divisions.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), in particular, paradoxically positions itself as a government-in-waiting – claiming credit for all things positive implemented by the GNU yet simultaneously opposing any move that might challenge the deeply entrenched socio-economic structures rooted in apartheid and colonialism. This contradictory stance reflects a troubling trend in South African politics, where gaining political capital frequently takes precedence over genuine concern for the welfare of citizens.
Its constant objection to fundamental transformation is the source of unnecessary tension in the GNU. Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue or proposing innovative solutions to the nation’s challenges, the DA appears intent on maintaining a status quo that preserves the power dynamics inherited from the past. Despite its claims to champion non-racialism and the creation of an equal society, its policies are reluctant to disrupt the socio-economic order that still largely benefits a small, elite group.
The DA’s stance on economic policy is rooted in free-market capitalism, privatisation and fiscal austerity. Free-market capitalism inherently concentrates wealth and power in the hands of the already wealthy while leaving the majority of South Africans at the mercy of exploitative labour markets. Privatisation allows businesses to profit from essential energy, water, communication and logistics services the state should provide. Fiscal austerity reduces government spending on areas such as education, healthcare and housing. Hence, their strong opposition to transforming the education and healthcare sectors and protests against the BELA and NHI Acts, respectively.
The DA is also objecting to land reform and trying to block the implementation of the Expropriation Act. They reinforce colonial viewpoints that emphasise individual property rights, undermine the importance of collective restitution and ignore the impacts of dispossession. Their constant opposition to measures that seek to dismantle the historical enduring structural inequalities places the DA at odds with the aspirations of many South Africans seeking a transformative shift that addresses past injustices. Their determination to protect the interest of capital and the beneficiaries of apartheid contributes to the frustration and disillusionment felt by many South Africans.
On the other hand, the Economic Freedom Fighters and the MK Party have yet to demonstrate their ability to champion the interests of the most marginalised at the level of the legislature. The public’s patience with rhetoric and political gamesmanship is wearing thin. The demand for high-quality services that can significantly enhance the quality of life is growing increasingly urgent. The GNU must manifest a collective commitment to the country’s fundamental concerns rather than indulging in divisive political manoeuvring. In the spirit of collaboration and national interest, a united front that seeks to dismantle the institutional legacies of apartheid and colonialism while championing development is paramount.
The upcoming SONA presents a critical opportunity for President Ramaphosa to outline a comprehensive strategy that responds decisively to the core challenges afflicting the nation. It must encompass a plan to stimulate job creation, promote equitable access to resources for all citizens and combat crime, which can be further developed at the National Dialogue.
The ANC must not lose sight of the fact that it remains the dominant party in the GNU. The ongoing bullying by the DA should not be tolerated. Each political party, regardless of its history or ideological stance, is responsible for contributing positively toward forging a sustainable and equitable future for South Africa. South Africans have waited long enough for effective governance prioritising our welfare, and it is high time our leaders step up to the challenge.
* Dr Reneva Fourie is a policy analyst specialising in governance, development and security and co-author of the book ‘The Art of Power: Pursuing Liberation and Nation-building’.
** The views in this article do not necessarily represent the views of The African.