There was no lack of drama last night when the president Mr Jacob Zuma delivered his third State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Before Zuma could address the nation, Economic Freedom Fighters MP Mr Floyd Shivambu raised a point of order. He was seeking clarity on the rules of the house, however, the Speaker Ms Baleka Mbete replied that she would “not like to give attention” to the matter at present.

When Mbete tried to continue with proceedings, Mr Julius Malema the EFF leader told her he wanted to deal with questions to the president before his speech.

When Zuma began his speech, he was interrupted by Cope leader Mr Mosiuoa Lekota, which brought proceedings to a halt. Then hell broke loose when the Speaker ordered Lekota and the EFF to leave the house.

The EFF members started singing “Zupta must fall”. When things finally settled down, Zuma continued. Most political parties described his speech as missed opportunity to address critical questions that are currently facing the country.
Here are five things the president mentioned last night:
1. Drought
According to the African Christian Democratic Party’s (ACDP) Mr Steve Swart said Zuma had failed to address the current drought crisis during the Sona. Swart says given the extent of the crisis, government needs to declare it a national disaster.
2. Unemployment
The leader of the Democratic Alliance, Mr Mmusi Maimane said Zuma needed to give fresh, bold and innovative new interventions and plans of action to create jobs for the 8,3 million South Africans trapped in the hopelessness and poverty of unemployment.
3. Economy
The president said government is planning to cut costs by relocating the parliament in Cape Town to Pretoria. It will also cut on overseas trips and restrictions on conferences, catering, entertainment and social functions will be instituted.
4. SMMEs
The president said there is a need to empower small, medium and micro enterprises, but ACDP’s leader Mr Kenneth Meshoe said he was not sure if Zuma will succeed in this regard since most small business such as tuck shops are owned by foreign nationals.
5. HIV/Aids
The HIV policy turnaround in 2009 led to a massive rollout of testing and treatment for 3,2 million people living with the virus.