MK Party MP Des van Rooyen led the charge in criticising President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address during a debate in the joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament on Tuesday.
Image: Phando Jikelo / Parliament of SA
Opposition parties on Tuesday slammed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), with the MK Party saying his speech was nothing more than a State of the Intention Address.
This happened as the Government of National Unity (GNU) partners defended the achievements Ramaphosa had outlined during his address last Thursday.
Speaking during the debate on SONA, MK Party MP Des van Rooyen said the 2026 SONA was filled with plans, committees, task teams, another investment summit, and what the government hoped to do.
“It failed to report and account to the nation about the performance of the disunited so-called GNU, and a nation in crisis cannot be governed by intention,” Van Rooyen said.
He also said, contrary to the assertion by Ramaphosa that South Africa has turned the corner and the economy was growing, there was economic stagnation, and unemployment remained structural, and poverty was entrenched.
“As the MK Party, we can't celebrate when the masses of our people are pushed into a poverty trap or turned into perpetual dependence on social grants,” said Van Rooyen.
He blamed the collapse of South Africa on Ramaphosa, who has been in office since 2018.
“Rail capacity declined after you took over in February 2018. Port efficiency worsened after you took over. Cape Town port became the worst port in 2022. Energy supply collapsed from 2020 and turned into rolling blackouts,” added Van Rooyen.
EFF leader Julius Malema said Ramaphosa failed to deliver the promises, such as infrastructure, the bullet train, the smart city, and the university he promised for the Ekurhuleni Metro.
“As your term of office comes to an end, you have nothing to show for it. Under your term, crime is out of control, and your deployment of the army is the last resort. You are admitting that you have failed to fight crime,” said Malema.
Malema blamed the rot in the criminal justice system on the ANC, which he claimed factionalised law enforcement and intelligence services based on who won in its conferences.
“The biggest syndicate is the political party you are leading Mister President,” he said.
Malema also said the GNU has done nothing to grow the economy.
“Last year on this same platform, you committed to grow the economy by 3% through infrastructure investment, structural reforms, and inclusive growth, and you no longer speak of this figure.
“The National Treasury itself predicts economic growth at 1.5% and will most likely reverse this projection down as the year progresses, because that is their tradition,” he said.
ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli said the interventions Ramaphosa presented in his SONA pointed towards a direction to resolve historical contradictions that continue to face the nation.
Ntuli said through the criminal justice system initiative and the Whistle-blower Protection Bill, Ramaphosa was cutting out the rot exposed at the Ad Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
“To address the unfulfilled promises of our social economy, we welcome the president’s continued commitment to investing in public infrastructure,” he added.
DA leader John Steenhuisen said the 2026 SONA reflected a country that has begun to turn the corner after years of stagnation, crisis, and lost hope.
“Under the GNU, we have achieved real, tangible progress. And let me be clear, much of this progress bears the unmistakable imprint of the DA principled participation, our relentless push for reform, and our unapologetic focus as a government on what actually works for the people of this country,” said Steenhuisen.
He also said the economy is growing again with four consecutive quarters of positive GDP growth, inflation at its lowest level in 20 years, two consecutive budgets of surpluses, stabilisation of the national debt, interest rates easing, borrowing cost declining, and unemployment at its lowest in five years.
“These are important signals, not just intentions, honourable Van Rooyen. This seventh administration, a coalition government and the first not under single-party rule, is making a positive impact, and the world is taking notice,” said Steenhuisen.
IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa said the successes Ramaphosa outlined in his address stood as a testimony to the strength of the multi-party democracy in which diverse voices were truly represented.
“Our economy is finally growing, but it needs to grow faster. It needs to outpace the growing inequalities in our country, mounting social needs, and the burgeoning unemployment rate,” said Hlabisa.
Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie thanked Ramaphosa on measures aimed to clamp down on illegal foreigners and deploying soldiers to deal with gang violence and illegal mining.
“We would like you to add the Eastern Cape because more people die in the Eastern Cape than anywhere else,” he said.
mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za