SONA: Opposition parties call for actionable plans
Opposition parties are calling for less talk and more action from President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2020 State of the Nation Address.
Following the release of the country's unemployment rate by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday - which showed that joblessness remained at 29.1% in Quarter 4 of 2019, Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister for Employment and Labour, Michael Cardo says Ramaphosa needs to announce a plan of action for this jobs crisis.
"He should also prioritise the expansion of the employment tax incentive to include more young workers for a longer period. Above all, the President needs to explain clearly how the ANC intends to reverse our economic decline and start growing the economy at a rate that will lead to job creation."
Inkatha Freedom Party national spokesperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa says they are expecting the President to move away from statements of intent and present the nation with practical steps to problems the country is confronted with.
Hlengwa says the Ramaphosa must re-ignite confidence in the public with an action plan on economic growth job creation.
He says the President must also confront the elephant in the room - SAA, Eskom and Prasa.
Freedom Front Plus leader, Pieter Groenewald says nothing has changed since Ramaphosa's previous addresses. He says they are also looking forward to seeing more action than talk.
Meanwhile, governing ministers have also been commenting in the lead up to SONA.
Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu says Ramaphosa's is likely to place emphasize on the economy, job creation, gender-based violence and drug abuse.
Reflecting on Ramaphosa's last SONA, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, John Jeffery says one of the main issues is improving the capacity of the National Prosecuting Authority.
