Cape Town - The MK Party and EFF on Wednesday poked holes in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), saying that it not only lacked an assessment of past commitments but was full of empty promises.

This happened on the second day of the debate of the SONA, and just a day before Ramaphosa will respond to the parties. Speaking during the debate MK Party MP Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said Ramaphosa had spoken like someone who delivered his maiden speech with recycled promises and hollow rhetoric.

Ndhlela said the annual address should not be a ceremonial platform for “lofty” promises.”

EFF MP Omphile Maotwe said Ramaphosa made promises every year without accounting for the promises he made the previous year.

“It is as if he is permanently on the reset button and the sad thing is every time he opens his mouth more and more people become statistics of unemployment, poverty, rape and murder.

She said that Ramaphosa had stated since 2018 that he had a plan for critical areas of investment.

“What was he talking about because since then we have seen nothing but suffering, deepening unemployment and rising cost of living rising.”

In an apparent response to MK Party and EFF criticism, ANC MP Cameron Dugmore took a swipe at the ANC’s breakaway parties.

Dugmore laughed off the MK Party’s demand for the removal of Ramaphosa as ANC leader if both parties were to enter into coalition and the Jacob Zuma-led party’s prediction of the death of the GNU (Government of National Unity).

“The implosion of MK Party has begun. The Twitter war amongst unelected leaders is going on,” he said in reference to a social media spat between Zuma’s daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and the party’s Secretary General Floyd Shivambu.

Dugmore also questioned how the EFF would have thought that it would be a trusted party. Also speaking during the SONA debate, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi noted some critics and doomsayers of the NHI (National Health Insurance) still persisted with their denial, despite Ramaphosa indicating they will proceed with the preparatory work for the establishment of the public health policy.

DA MP Dean Macpherson used his speech during the debate to list successes of the Public Works and Infrastructure Department and its planned activities.

Macpherson said vacant state-owned properties have been released for a request for proposal, inviting public and private properties to submit ideas in a major policy shift.

“In our first round, we will release 31 properties for redevelopment, valued at R1.4 billion. This is estimated to generate up to R10bn in private investment, create over 165,000 jobs and generate close to R200 million in rental income for the South African government.”

He also said they will finalise reforms to the Expanded Public Works Programme to ensure it led to permanent employment and skills development.

Cape Argus