SONA debate: 5 Highlights from MPs' responses to Ramaphosa's speech
After a State of the Nation Address that was jam-packed with dreams, but lacking in detail, Members of Parliament have gathered today to debate President Cyril Ramaphosa's speech. Briefly.co.za takes a look at the highlights from today's address.
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!
President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address left some feeling as if it lacked substance, painting a picture of a modern South Africa in the years to come.
Briefly.co.za reported that the president had spoken of smart cities and bullet trains, his dream for the country.
However, with the nation struggling through economic hardships and unemployment, Members of Parliament went out of their way to wake Ramaphosa from his slumber.
PAY ATTENTION: Do you want to know what's trending on Briefly.co.za? Join our WhatsApp group today.
READ ALSO: SONA 2019: Julius Malema blasts Cyril Ramaphosa for 'daydreaming'
Malema can't see what Nelson Mandela saw in Ramaphosa
The Economic Freedom Fighter leader took no prisoners when he took the podium, telling Ramaphosa that he could not see what the late struggle icon had seen in him:
"We were abused here by an election campaign that saw people like Oprah Winfrey rented and brought here to tell us about how (former president) Nelson Mandela wanted you to be president. There is no sign of what he saw in you [that we can see]."
Maimane wants equal chances, not equal outcomes
Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane wants South African citizens to have an equal chance in life, not an equal outcome.
The opposition leader is adamant that the priority should be to fix what is broken in South Africa, with the economy in tatters and unemployment sitting at record numbers, reports News24.
EFF's Naledi Chirwa gives bombshell first address
Although Members of Parliament are not traditionally interrupted during their first address, the EFF's Chirwa had the ANC calling points of order during her address.
The fledgling politician spoke of the hardships facing the nation's youth and women, blasting the ruling party for their failures.
FF+ ruffles feathers
Pieter Groenewald called for the end of Black Economic Empowerment, to the protest of other MPs. The FF+ MP says it must be done away with as it favours only a few politically-connected individuals.
Groenewald also commented that using Afrikaans as a 'scapegoat instead of dealing with the real problems' must stop.
Jackson Mthembu defends the 'dream'
In his address, Mthembu defended President Cyril Ramaphosa's dreams, which had earned the president a fair amount of criticism:
"The purpose of SONA is for the President to assess the status of the nation and outline path for turning things around. Those who say the President's SONA lacked detailed are misguided. Implementation plans will still be detailed later in this House."
Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news.
Source: Briefly News