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What transpired at SONA 2023

by Luqmaan Rawat
written by Luqmaan Rawat
The stage is set for the president to address the nation and give its people hope Photo Zahid Jadwat

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa is to deliver his seventh, and perhaps the most important, State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday evening. With the country being plagued by various problems, Ramaphosa has the tough task of reassuring a restless nation. He is expected to tackle several crisis including loadshedding, a downward economy and the rise of unemployment.

Reactions from leaders after SONA

The Events of SONA 2023

Ramaphosa reiterated the need to come together and move forward as one. He believes “with more police on the street, with functioning community policing forums and an effective and independent prosecution authority, our people will be able to count on the protection of the state”.

Ramaphosa: “We are greatly concerned at the recent escalation of tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, and call for an end to hostilities and for a resumption of the stalled peace process.”

Ramaphosa: “National Treasury estimates that we could achieve a potential saving of R27 billion in the medium term if we deal with overlapping mandates, close ineffective programmes and consolidate entities where appropriate.”

With this in mind, integrity assessments will become a mandatory requirement for recruitment to the public service sector. “We are amending legislation and strengthening the role of the Public Service Commission to ensure that qualified people are appointed to senior management positions and to move towards creating a single, harmonised public service”.

Ramaphosa: “As a country, we owe Chief Justice Zondo, the Commission staff and all those who provided testimony a huge debt of gratitude for their extraordinary public service.”

Ramaphosa: “In November last year, we held the second Presidential Summit on GBV and Femicide to assess progress in the implementation of the National Strategic Plan, which adopted as a comprehensive, effective and united response to this pandemic.”

Ramaphosa: “Violent crime takes a heavy toll on every South African. Communities across our country live in fear for the safety of their families. This situation cannot continue.”

Ramaphosa: “In support of this work and to counter the rising cost of living, we will continue the Social Relief of Distress Grant, which currently reaches around 7.8 million people.”

In an attempt to address the challenge of youth unemployment, the Employment Tax Incentive has been “expanded to encourage businesses to hire more young people in larger numbers”.

Last year government committed to unlocking investment in the hemp and cannabis sector. “Growing this stuff” has sent many to school, says Ramaphosa. It is time to unlock the enormous potential these plants have.

The government is aiming to improve infrastructure of roads and telecommunications. Twenty four bridges in KwaZulu-Natal are currently under construction. The migration of households to digital television signals will be completed this year.

The country has been going through a water crisis. The government is working to ensure the country is water secure for the foreseeable future.


The rail network has suffered from “underinvestment, lack of maintenance and criminal activity” says Ramaphosa. The government will be working to make sure the network is upgraded and improved.

He further adds that he will appoint a minister of electricity in the Presidency. This minister will work with Eskom and focus on ending loadshedding. The minister of Public Enterprises will oversee the implementation of the restructuring of Eskom.

Ramaphosa understands the impact loadshedding has had on the economy. The actions taken to eradicate loadshedding will also take into account climate change. “We will continue just transition at a pace we can keep up with and afford”. Other countries are moving forward and building electric cars. South Africa can not be left be behind in this regard.

 


Ramaphosa says Eskom has already secured 300MW of electricity from private suppliers. They have also made 43 arrests at Eskom sites. “Government will support Eskom to secure additional funding to continue purchasing diesel for the rest of the financial year”. The restructuring of Eskom will continue as planned. “We are focusing on the energy crisis right now and we will address the restructuring of Government in due course”.

ANC MP Hope Papo, outside of the House addressing the media. ATM and EFF cannot stop proceedings, he said. Every other party wants to listen to the president.

 

Despite the chaos outside, Ramaphosa has finally continued with his address. He once again greets all dignitaries and says its an honour to deliver the SONA regardless of what has happened so far. Ramaphosa admits the country has “difficulties by the ton”. He adds that he is certain these difficulties can be overcome if we work together and ensure nobody is left behind. The country has the skills and expertise, “we just need to use them”.


Julius Malema briefing the media after being escorted out of the House. He says South Africa has become a “dictatorship” and he was attacked for “peacefully protesting in Parliament”.

 

Media and police confront each other as EFF MP’s are escorted out of the House.

 

BREAKING: Nqakula has suspended the SONA for the next ten minutes while security services remove members.

Chaos reigns supreme in the House as EFF MP’s shout and scream as Nqakula asks Ramaphosa to proceed.

EFF MP, Veronica Mente, raises a point of order about GBV and Phala Phala. Nqakula shuts her down saying there will be a time next week to raise the issue of GBV. She will also not allow anymore points of order.

The SONA gets off to a rocky start as EFF leader, Julius Malema, makes good on his promise to not be addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Speaker of the National Assembly, is trying to restore order.  Vuyolwethu Zungula, President of the African Transformation Movement, accuses Nqakula of violating the rules. After refusing to obey Nqakula orders, he is removed from the House with Nqakula stating he was removed for defying orders.

 

Zackie Achmat from #UnitedBehind says SAPS stopped them from peacefully protesting.

 

Rev. June, a pastor, rape survive and GBV activist, speaks on the high levels of security at the SONA. While SAPS and the army are present in full force today, residents are often left to wait helplessly when they are in need.

 

Moegammed Ismael president of the UDF, (United Democratic Front). He believes the president has only spoken lies during the previous SONAs. He is calling on Ramaphosa to speak the truth about Eskom and the country.

 

The Economic Freedom Fighters have arrived

 

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula speaks with excitement about the future of railway in South Africa.

Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu speaking on the imminent cabinet shuffle and the Tottenham Hotspur deal. A deal which was reportedly worth R1 billion and had the public up in arms. Enver Duminy, Ravi Nadasen and Rosemary Anderson resigned from the South African Tourism board after the controversial sponsorship proposal  was made public.

Various organisation have come out in full force to make their voices heard. They want government to act now to solve the many problems plaguing the nation.

Abdus-Salam Ebrahim, Founder of People Against Gangsterism And Drugs (PAGAG), speaks about his demands and why his organisation is here today.

Lara Fourche, from 1000 women 1 voice, is demanding action from the government to end Gender Based Violence. An epidemic that has been here before Covid-19 and needs to be pulled out from its roots.

Before the president addresses the nation, locals have their say on what he should be focused on. Government need to take decisive action and find a way to end loadshedding.

Luqmaan Rawat is a DUT graduate who has a passion for writing, life, gaming and sports. Fascinated by the world, he sets out to write about world events in a hope to bring about some change.

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