His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa responding to the Debate on the State of the Nation Address at the Joint Sitting of Parliament in the National Assembly.
President Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address on 07 February 2019 with a focus on economic development, job creation and enhancing the capacity of the state.
Political parties had the opportunity, in a debate, to reinforce or critique the President’s overview of where the country is positioned at present and his vision for where South Africa should be headed. 14/02/2019, Elmond Jiyane, GCIS
Ramaphosa emphasises unity of purpose in budget vote debate response
Cyril Ramaphosa’s response to the budget vote debate included nods towards the EFF, DA, and FF Plus as he stressed the need for unity.
His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa responding to the Debate on the State of the Nation Address at the Joint Sitting of Parliament in the National Assembly.
President Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address on 07 February 2019 with a focus on economic development, job creation and enhancing the capacity of the state.
Political parties had the opportunity, in a debate, to reinforce or critique the President’s overview of where the country is positioned at present and his vision for where South Africa should be headed. 14/02/2019, Elmond Jiyane, GCIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed several of the concerns raised by opposition parties in the 2019/2020 budget vote debate and stressed the only way South Africa was going to succeed was if everyone worked together.
Addressing Parliament, Ramaphosa wasted no time invoking the memory of former President Nelson Mandela and reminiscing on his dream for South Africa.
Budget vote debate response
While strides have been taken in the right direction since apartheid, it is pretty clear that not enough has or is being done to address the myriad of deep-rooted issues plaguing South Africa.
“Today, as we celebrate 101 years since Madiba’s birth, we are challenged to ensure that we advance the vision of a free, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist, prosperous, just, and united South Africa. To which Madiba dedicated his entire life,” he told Parliament.
“As we confront problems out country currently faces, we must place the principle of unity at the center of all of our efforts.
“It is only through unity of purpose and unity in action that we will overcome troubles that may today seem intractable.”
Democratic Alliance
Ramaphosa agreed with Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane’s sentiment that deciding the programme on fundamental transformation is the collective responsibility of the entire country.
“Society is becoming more fractuous. Attitudes may be hardening on all sides. We are becoming more of a devided society and that inequality is becoming more entrenched,” he said.
“But ours is a clear missions: To achieve a united nation. It is a mission from which we should not retreat. Indeed, it is at such moments that we must reaffirm our resolve and our intensity to move ahead with all the efforts that will build that nation.”
Economic Freedom Fighters
On the EFF and Julius Malema’s concerns, Ramaphosa spent a good deal of time. He reiterated his support of Pravin Gordhan and told the firebrand opposition party to let the truth come out through the justice system.
“I have appointed him to a critical and demanding position in Cabinet because I know him to be a person of commitment and integrity,” he said.
“The Presidency cannot interfere, in any shape or form whatsoever, in the work that these institutions are doing. If you are expecting the Presidency to go out and arrest those implicated in corruption, it is not going to happen.
“It is a fundamental tenet of our constitutional order that nobody is above the law. That includes the president, honourable Gordhan and honourable Malema. Every person is equal before the law and must be able to exercise their rights, including going to court.
“Let the law takes its course. This is what our consitution demands.”
Freedom Front Plus
He also addressed a complaint from the Freedom Front Plus that the President had not spoken out against farm murders.
Ramaphosa refuted this claim, recalling a parliamentary reply from November 2018 in which he addressed that specific issue.
“I do, I have and I will continue to condemn murders on farms. When farmers are killed and when farmworkers are killed – I will continue to condemn that,” he explained.
“Every life in this country has equal value and every murder, every violent crime must be equally and unequivocally condemned.”
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