Ahmed Kathrada Foundation responds to Sona

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has welcomed President Ramaphosa’s maiden State of the Nation Address (Sona).

“Earlier this month, the foundation, as part of the Future South Africa coalition, called on Mr Ramaphosa to ensure that this year’s Sona… restores the ‘dignity and decorum of the house’. We believe that he has delivered on this,” said the foundation’s executive director, Neeshan Balton.

Balton said it was refreshing witnessing a Sona without walkouts, without security personnel removing members and, most notably, without a president whose words rang hollow.

President Ramaphosa’s commitment to ‘ethical behaviour and ethical leadership’ was met with praise from Balton, who insisted that it be followed up by definitive action against all involved in any form of corruption, at all levels of government.

“We welcome the president’s emphasis on the fact that law enforcement agencies should be free from outside interference and should pursue those implicated in corruption without fear or favour,” Balton stated.

He added that the foundation particularly commended the president on his intent to establish a commission that will restore the credibility of the South African Revenue Services (Sars).

“After 10 years of misgovernance under the Jacob Zuma administration, the country currently faces crippling poverty, unemployment and inequality, an upsurge in racial and ethnic tensions, entrenched patriarchy, crime, dysfunctional state-owned entities, problems in the healthcare and education sectors, a water crisis and poor service delivery. These issues were raised by the president in the Sona and require urgent attention.”

However, the foundation said it was mindful that tackling these challenges was not an immediate process and believes that the appointment of competent and ethical individuals in Ramaphosa’s cabinet can bring much-needed change.

The foundation reminisced on Ramaphosa’s tenure as the first chairperson of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Board, which he served on from 2008 to 2014.

“We are confident that, having been part of the foundation, which aims to build a truly non-racial society, President Ramaphosa’s work will be guided by this principle in a fundamental way. His speech highlighted that systematic racial inequality still exists and must be tackled, and that transformation be prioritised.

“He also emphasised the need to unite South Africans across all barriers around a common vision and build a sense of nationhood, while at the same time celebrating our diversity.”

Balton applauded President Ramaphosa’s vision for change and renewal and wished him the courage, tenacity and decisiveness needed to move the country forward.