Ramaphosa Responds to SONA 2022 Criticism, Claims Private Sector Is a Better Source of Employment

• During the Joint State of the Nation debate, President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to motions put forward by other Members of Parliament
• Ramaphosa specifically mentioned calls from Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), to reform the cannabis industry
• The president discussed the importance of job creation in the private sector and why the government should not create jobs

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to attacks on his State of the Nation Address (SONA) by fellow politicians at the SONA debate. He said that much of what has been levelled against him is not worth reacting to.

Ramaphosa, however, recognised those who made essential points during the debate. These include issues of industrialisation and state capture. He also acknowledged a request from EFF leader, Julius Malema, to reform the cannabis industry.

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"I refer to the call by honourable Malema on the industraliasation of cannabis in a way that benefits local farmers in places like the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal," the president said.

Ramaphosa's defence of the private sector

One of the criticisms the president received during the SONA debate was that government should be creating jobs instead of outsourcing their responsibility to the private sector, TimesLIVE reports. Ramaphosa replied that he disagreed.

He believes that creating opportunities for the private sector to grow and thrive will be more beneficial in the long term than creating more government jobs. This is because most taxpayers work in the private sector, and more tax money means more funds for the government to improve South Africa.

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According to EWN, the president said that the government's chief priority at present is to heal the country's economy after damages it incurred due to the Covid-19 pandemic, state capture, and corruption.

Reactions to Ramaphosa's SONA debate reply

@MmusiMaimane said:

@JoeSoap70691001 shared:

"I truly feel bad for the guy as I do believe he sincerely wants to save SA but he's surrounded by a ocean of hyenas who just want to save themselves."

@TshedisoMohotl1 remarked:

"It also beats me that he kept non-performing ministers and for what I really don't know."

@ZungulaVuyo believes:

@KeletsoLethabho said:

"He took up the leadership role without a single plan of making this country progressive."

SA wants to know why DA's motion of no confidence does not include Ramaphosa

Speaking of the SONA debate, Briefly News recently reported that the Joint State of the Nation (SONA) debate on Monday, 14 February had a fiery start with opposition parties dissecting President Cyril Ramaphosa's speech and the commitments he has made for South Africa's future.

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Ramaphosa is working to make SA work efficiently, say political analysts, Gungubele to head SSA

However, political leaders such as Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen were less than impressed with the President as well as his Cabinet ministers. Steenhuisen even took it further by criticising Ramaphosa for not firing ministers who were not competent during the July unrest.

Steenhuisen stated that instead of firing those ministers who did not do their jobs, Ramaphosa merely reshuffled his Cabinet and, in some cases, even promoted those ministers who were directly implicated in failing to maintain law and order during the riots.

Source: Briefly News