Johnathan Paoli
The ruling party has applauded the work done by the government and said this year’s State of the Nation Address is expected to reflect on the gains “we have made as a nation as well as affirm our determination to defend our democracy from opportunistic elements that are set on undermining the unstoppable programme of transformation”.
In a media statement released on Thursday morning, party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri outlined the achievements made by the ANC and said despite what has been achieved so far, the country was still in need of the party’s drive for transformation.
“The address must be a beacon of hope as it accounts on commitments made while pointing us all in the direction that must now be taken to transform South Africa in the interest of a better life for all,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
The ANC spokesperson said that President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the address amid both progress and challenges and that drawing from its experience the party remained steadfast in its resolve to overcome these challenges and continue steering the country towards prosperity.
Among the achievements celebrated by the party include the nation’s achievements on the global stage, from asserting moral leadership to showcasing the talents of our people in sports, music, and beyond; illustrating notable economic resilience in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic; making significant strides in combating corruption and rebuilding state institutions; dramatically improving access to education from early childhood right through to post-school education; promoting universal access to quality healthcare; and a consistent decline in unemployment rates over seven consecutive quarters, she said.
In relation to the economic crisis Bhengu-Motsiri said the party had put in place several measures in order to address the situation, namely: a renewable energy procurement programme, a further 1600 megawatts worth of projects, as well as making land surrounding power stations in Mpumalanga available for further projects.
The party claimed that it has made remarkable strides in empowering women, with significant representation in public institutions and policy frameworks aimed at addressing gender-based violence; the provision of houses, subsidies and serviced sites, resulting in the provision of 4.7 million homes; as well as making efforts to combat crime and corruption which have led to significant reforms in law enforcement agencies and governance systems.
Bhengu-Motsiri praised the creation of the Border Management Authority, which was launched as South Africa’s third armed force to manage and secure its borders, and said it provided a vital link in the government’s efforts to harness the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
However, despite the party’s optimism, many have expressed doubt and scorn over the looming address, with political analysts claiming that the president would simply invoke a nostalgia of the past, remembering struggle heroes and the strides the party has made over the last 30 years of democracy.
University of Pretoria political analyst Heather Thuynsma, said despite the challenges facing the country, Ramaphosa will also look to put a positive spin on the ANC’s plans for the future, in an attempt to utilise the event as an opportunity for campaigning.
“He will want to leave South Africans with hope that things have started to change, and a pledge that things will progress more quickly in the next five years should he and his party be re-elected,” Thuynsma said.
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