#SONA2019: Opposition, analysts react to Ramaphosa’s “big dreams”

Opposition parties’ reaction brought President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) Thursday night back to earth.

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This comes after Ramaphosa’s speech displayed images of bullet trains, smart cities and big dreams focusing on what could be and ignoring what was.

Members of Parliament (MPs) called Ramaphosa out for providing low detail on how he planned to see through the plans.

Members of Parliament (MPs) from the opposition benches characterised his State of the Nation Address (Sona) speech as high on dreams but way too low on detail.

Summing up Thursday’s Sona Julius Malema, Economic Freedom Fighters leader said: “There’s a new plan called dreams; the president has got no privilege of dreaming. Me and you can dream.”

This appeared to be a common feeling among opposition politicians.

United Democratic Movement MP Nqabayomzi Kwankwa highlighted there was little by way of the plan and nothing novel.

“Last year, it was the new dawn, now it’s a new era, and there’s a new dream. There’s really nothing new.”

Equally unimpressed Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder called om Ramaphosa to deal with reality.

“It’s a nice dream but unfortunately when the president wakes up, he will find out that he’s living in a nightmare.”

However, his African National Congress colleagues had different views from opposition parties.

African National Congress colleagues shared different views from opposition parties. They instead praised the speech as a celebration of what could be possible for South Africa.

Analysts concurred that the president’s address depicted a rosy picture, filled with dreams and ambitions which, however, failed to provide much-needed solutions.

Dr Josiah Nyanda said the land question, which was an important topic to investors, was skilfully evaded.

“What South Africans need is solutions to the problems that the country is facing today. What’s missing in his address is the ‘how’ part. It’s a speech that’s full of hope and promises.”

Ramaphosa’s speech, according to Economist Thabi Leoka lacked detailed plans to revitalise the economy and create jobs.

“He talks about growing the economy but not really how and especially which sectors. He prioritises job creation and there need to be more details as to how we’re going to create these jobs that we require.”

Source: Eyewitness News