All you need to know about SONA 2015
The key issues addressed focused mainly around three things.
“Please understand, Honourable President, when I use the term “honourable”, I do it out of respect for the traditions and conventions of this august House. But please do not take it literally. For you, Honourable President, are not an honourable man.”
These were the words of Democratic Alliance Caucus leader of Parliament, Mmusi Maimane, at the State of the Nation debate on Tuesday afternoon.
Following the debacle at the SONA delivery last week Thursday, many a South African citizen has been left questioning the government.
Riot police attacked political supporters, the cellphone signals were jammed, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were forcibly removed, the DA left the building as well, and President Jacob Zuma – well, he laughed.
But there is no denying the SONA did leave some have some extremely interesting points.
The key issues addressed focused mainly around three things.
Energy: President Jacob Zuma did not beat around the bush when it came down to the energy concerns of the country.
He believed establishing the finances of electricity suppliers, Eskom was a priority and the group would be given R23 billion to do so in the next fiscal year. He acknowledged South Africa was experiencing serious energy constraints.
“These issues are an impediment to economic growth, and are a major inconvenience to everyone in the country.”
The possibility of hydraulic fracturing in the future was mention, as President Zuma delved lightly into the Karoo’s gas supply, this could also spell out a different future for the gas supply currently being investigated in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal region.
Stating the country’s economy needed a major push forward, he admitted gravely the country was at risk of not achieving its growth target of five per cent by 2019.
On the bright side, according to a survey released by Stats SA regarding jobs in the country over the last quarter of 2014, 15.3-million people were employed in the country.
“Jobs grew by 203 000.”
President Zuma was mandated with a target of six million jobs being created over five years and confidently boasted of the 850 000 ‘work opportunities’ created thus far.
Among the key steps forward taken by the government for the year ahead, was the adoption of the nine-point plan.
He further stated one of the key aspects that needed to be addressed in the issues surrounding land, was redressing the wrongs of the past.
In his address he confirmed foreigners would no longer be allowed to own land in the country, but would be allowed to lease the land on a long-term basis.
President Zuma said more then 36 000 land claims had been lodged nationally. The cut-off date is 2019. In terms of new proposed laws, a ceiling of land ownership would be set at a maximum of 12 000 hectares.
Another convenience for residents announced by the president was the ability for residents to apply for their new ID smart cards from their respective banks.
President Zuma ended his speech with a nod to the South African sports teams, and applause, albeit half the seats were empty.
