PARLIAMENT, February 11 (ANA) – There was mixed reaction to the state-of-the-nation address on Thursday with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) backing their president and his vision for the country, and the official opposition declaring his speech a failure.
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe heaped praise on Zuma, proclaiming: “We have confidence in President Zuma. He’s the President of the ANC voted in by our conference until 2019.”
Mantashe said the President hit all the right notes, by focussing on the economy and cutting unnecessary expenditure by government.
“I think the speech will help us prevent that downgrade,” Mantashe said, referring to South Africa’s risk — acknowledged by Zuma — of being downgraded to junk status by ratings agencies, adding it was “immature” (sic) to be talking of a possible recession.
Turning to the action of the Economic Freedom Fighters who constantly disrupted Zuma during his address, before they were booted from the National Assembly for disorderly behaviour, Mantashe said this was insignificant.
“They were not raising concerns. They were disrupting Parliament. That is the bottom line,” he said.
The thoughts of Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane was in direct contrast to that of Mantashe. The opposition leader said: “I really think tonight he failed to instill confidence.”
Maimane said Zuma failed to mention new measures to grow the economy, calling the cost-cutting initiatives announced by Zuma, which included limiting international travel and lavish state-funded junkets and banquets, “weak”.
Zuma should have been bolder, he said.
“Cut Cabinet in half to 15 ministers, announce the privatisation of some of the state-owned enterprises and sell off some of the key state assets so you can invest capital back in the economy…,” said Maimane.
Condemning the actions of the EFF, he said the party “over-reached”, calling their protest a “misprioritisation”, but later added: “I dislike President Zuma. I want President Zuma to be removed….”
South African Communist Party deputy secretary general Solly Mapaila condemned both the EFF and DA “for trying to disrupt the state-of-the-nation”, adding a stern: “South Africa must punish this type of behaviour.”
He said Zuma’ speech covered the fundamental issues on how to stabilise the economy.
“He actually reaffirmed the need to continue to support poor preople in the country,” said Mapaila.
Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder said Zuma’s address “lacked energy and hope”.
“I perceive the president as being very subdued…I would like to say the gas is out of the bottle.”
While in previous years Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi has been harsh in his criticism of Zuma, he said this year the president was honest about the difficulties facing the country, specifically with regard to the economy.
“My view about the president is that I always said that it is better to be open and frank with people, then they understand we still have a long journey to travel to get where we want to get.”
Buthelezi also had some harsh words for the EFF, saying their disruption was “an insult to the people of South African”.
Asked whether he considered protesting inside the National Assembly over his grievances with government, Buthelezi jokingly replied: “At my age people would laugh at me if I did something like that. I’m too old for such theatrics…”
As journalists scrambled to get comment from party leaders after the speech, there were two political parties missing from the red carpet – the EFF and the Congress of the People (COPE).
EFF leader Julius Malema and his fellow MPs were seen leaving the parliamentary premises shortly after they were thrown out of the House.
Addressing the media outside the National Assembly, Malema explained their interruption of Zuma while he was speaking and their chanting of “Zupta Must Fall” as they left the chamber.
“Zuma has lost his ability and legitimacy as a president of South Africa,” he said.
“Therefore, you cannot agree as a legitimate leader of a legitimate party… to be addressed by a criminal.”
Malema went on to call Zuma a “thug” who had stolen money.
“We will never respect him,” said Malema.
COPE leader Mosiuoa Lekota, who was the first MP to be ejected from the House ahead of the EFF, said Zuma was no longer suitable to address Parliament.
“This is a man who has broken his oath. He has lied to the people of his country,” said Lekota.
“He is no longer honourable,” he said.
– African News Agency (ANA)
