President Cyril Ramaphosa had little to show for six years of Sona promises as he delivered the last state of the nation address of the sixth administration.
Ramaphosa’s speech reflected the government’s achievements over the past 30 years of democracy.
“Over the past three decades, we have been on a journey, striving together to achieve a new society — a national democratic society,” he said. “We have cast off the tyranny of apartheid and built a democratic state based on the will of the people.
“We have established strong institutions to protect the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all people. We have transformed the lives of millions of South Africans, providing the necessities of life and creating opportunities that never existed before,” he said.
Opposition parties wasted no time in punching holes in his address, saying it was an election speech filled with empty promises.
DA leader John Steenhuisen said the president made “glaring omissions” of the ANC-created difficulties that many young people face.
IFP president Velenkosini Hlabisa said the address fell flat and was not inspiring, as it was a repetition of what had been said over the past five years.
Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi criticised the president for failing to rise to the occasion and address the real issues in South Africa.
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