Ramaphosa’s SONA – highlights
President Cyril Ramaphosa, last night, during his SONA speech in Parliament, detailed four pillars that the government is focused on for this year: dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic; accelerating economic recovery; creating jobs and inclusive economic growth; fighting corruption and strengthening the state.
He talked tough on corruption, vowing that the government will shortly be appointing the members of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, a multi-sectoral body, which will report to the entire Parliament – not just the ruling party.
He hinted that local government elections will go ahead this year, saying: “…we will need to adjust to the conditions forced upon us by Covid, so that we can ensure that the people of this country can determine who represents them at this crucial level of government.”
Ramaphosa said that Eskom – the largest producer of greenhouse gasses – has committed to net zero emissions by 2050. Eskom will be looking to partner with investors to repurpose and repower part of its coal fleet.
Regarding Covid-19, he said the government will intensify prevention efforts and strengthen the health system, and will undertake a “massive” vaccination
programme. For economic recovery, the president said government’s relief
programmes during the pandemic has aided millions.
He said the government is working on the rollout of infrastructure, local production, local stimulus to increase jobs, and rapid expansion of energy generation.
Ramaphosa again spoke of the government creating new “smart cities”, saying they are being conceptualised in several places in the country.
The draft masterplan for the Lanseria smart city, for example, has already been completed. There is also a priority intervention to rollout broadband capabilities to schools, police stations, and other public places. He said government has committed to buying locally-made products, and he encouraged the public to also purchase locally made products.
Ramaphosa pledged that the country “will rise again” like the fynbos tree – currently in bloom in Cape Town – from the economic and social fallout due to Covid-19. He said 2021 must be a year of “rebirth”, and “we must do things that will make us rise”.
Ramaphosa also mentioned that it has, to the day, been 31 years since former President Nelson Mandela was released from prison.
