Reaction to Zuma’s speech ranges from ‘spot-on’ to ‘bragging’
by Paul Vecchiatto and Natasha Marrian,
2014-02-13 21:43:34.0
ELECTIONEERING, corruption concerns about the mining sector and surprise at a "form" of nuclear build announcement were among the main concerns voiced by opposition MPs following President Jacob Zuma’s state of the nation address in Parliament on Thursday night.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader and Western Cape Premier Helen Zille did not mince her words about Mr Zuma’s actions against corruption after he said he had signed 40 proclamations for the Special Investigation Unit to investigate cases of maladministration and corruption in government departments and state entities.
"It is time for Mr Zuma to put his money where his mouth is. He must answer to the charges of corruption that are being levelled against him," she said.
On Mr Zuma’s assertion that 6-million jobs had to be created, Ms Zille said those were job opportunities, not permanent employment.
"Those (temporary) jobs are important for alleviating poverty now," she said. "However, we need real jobs and this can be achieved if the economy grows at 8% per year, as the DA says in its economic policies."
Mr Zuma’s announcement that he expected the conclusion of the nuclear procurement programme to deliver 9,600MW of electricity generation was inconsistent with the government’s own energy blueprint, DA MP Lance Greyling said.
"What is going on? The president’s announcement is in direct contradiction with the Integrated Resources Plan, yet he seems to insist on it going through. Are we now signing a deal with the Russians as has been reported?" Mr Greyling said.
African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) spokesman Steve Swart said he, too, was concerned about the nuclear announcement.
"Could this be a corruption scandal bigger than that of the arms deal?" he said.
Mr Swart also said Mr Zuma’s warning to the mining sector, both companies and unions, that continued violence would not be tolerated as it was destroying the economy was welcome but not enough.
"We have to see far more concrete steps to improve the mining sector and restore confidence in it," he said.
Mr Zuma’s off-the-cuff comments on mining during his state of the nation address and its centrality to the South African economy was among the hot topics that political parties focussed on afterwards.
While the president’s comments came at a critical time, while the platinum industry is in the midst of a strike over wages, they offered little new, albeit on a more illustrious platform.
But African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, a former player in the sector, described Mr Zuma’s comments as "spot-on".
"Indeed I feel it is enough ... he has to make an appeal directed at the key players in that sector," he said. "It was spot-on — the president appealed to the key players in the mining industry to take the interests of the economy into account in whatever we do."
Mr Ramaphosa described Thursday night’s address by Mr Zuma as "by far his best".
Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder said he supported Mr Zuma’s announcements on the state infrastructure build but labelled it a brag speech. "If things are so good, then why are we seeing so many protests?" he said.
Inkahta Freedom Party leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said the warning to the mining sector was almost laughable.
"It was the ANC who taught the people to demonstrate and make petrol bombs. They (ANC) should now be celebrating," he said.
Azanian People’s Organisation leader Jacob Dikobo said while he welcomed the reopening of the land restoration process, he worried about there being enough money to see it implemented properly.
"We also have to see if those who were not successful in the previous round can be accommodated," he said.
ANC chief whip Stone Sizani just said: "It was a good speech. It lays a good foundation for the next one."
Congress of the People leader Mosioua Lekota felt strongly about Mr Zuma’s comments on corruption, saying the president had said a lot but ommitted the most important details — shedding light on the controversial security upgrades to his Nkandla residence in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mr Lekota, in a firey reaction to the address, said Mr Zuma had Free State Premier Ace Magashule sitting in front of him as he spoke, yet he said nothing about massive corruption in that province. He added that there were other MPs in the House who had "committed huge deeds" of corruption and did not face the consequences of their actions.
"And he says we are winning the battle against corruption," Mr Lekota added. "He kept saying we have a good story to tell — it is a story indeed, it is not a true reflection."
President Jacob Zuma delivers his state of the nation speech in Parliament in February last year. Picture: GCIS
ELECTIONEERING, corruption concerns about the mining sector and surprise at a "form" of nuclear build announcement were among the main concerns voiced by opposition MPs following President Jacob Zuma’s state of the nation address in Parliament on Thursday night.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader and Western Cape Premier Helen Zille did not mince her words about Mr Zuma’s actions against corruption after he said he had signed 40 proclamations for the Special Investigation Unit to investigate cases of maladministration and corruption in government departments and state entities.
"It is time for Mr Zuma to put his money where his mouth is. He must answer to the charges of corruption that are being levelled against him," she said.
On Mr Zuma’s assertion that 6-million jobs had to be created, Ms Zille said those were job opportunities, not permanent employment.
"Those (temporary) jobs are important for alleviating poverty now," she said. "However, we need real jobs and this can be achieved if the economy grows at 8% per year, as the DA says in its economic policies."
Mr Zuma’s announcement that he expected the conclusion of the nuclear procurement programme to deliver 9,600MW of electricity generation was inconsistent with the government’s own energy blueprint, DA MP Lance Greyling said.
"What is going on? The president’s announcement is in direct contradiction with the Integrated Resources Plan, yet he seems to insist on it going through. Are we now signing a deal with the Russians as has been reported?" Mr Greyling said.
African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) spokesman Steve Swart said he, too, was concerned about the nuclear announcement.
"Could this be a corruption scandal bigger than that of the arms deal?" he said.
Mr Swart also said Mr Zuma’s warning to the mining sector, both companies and unions, that continued violence would not be tolerated as it was destroying the economy was welcome but not enough.
"We have to see far more concrete steps to improve the mining sector and restore confidence in it," he said.
Mr Zuma’s off-the-cuff comments on mining during his state of the nation address and its centrality to the South African economy was among the hot topics that political parties focussed on afterwards.
While the president’s comments came at a critical time, while the platinum industry is in the midst of a strike over wages, they offered little new, albeit on a more illustrious platform.
But African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, a former player in the sector, described Mr Zuma’s comments as "spot-on".
"Indeed I feel it is enough ... he has to make an appeal directed at the key players in that sector," he said. "It was spot-on — the president appealed to the key players in the mining industry to take the interests of the economy into account in whatever we do."
Mr Ramaphosa described Thursday night’s address by Mr Zuma as "by far his best".
Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder said he supported Mr Zuma’s announcements on the state infrastructure build but labelled it a brag speech. "If things are so good, then why are we seeing so many protests?" he said.
Inkahta Freedom Party leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi said the warning to the mining sector was almost laughable.
"It was the ANC who taught the people to demonstrate and make petrol bombs. They (ANC) should now be celebrating," he said.
Azanian People’s Organisation leader Jacob Dikobo said while he welcomed the reopening of the land restoration process, he worried about there being enough money to see it implemented properly.
"We also have to see if those who were not successful in the previous round can be accommodated," he said.
ANC chief whip Stone Sizani just said: "It was a good speech. It lays a good foundation for the next one."
Congress of the People leader Mosioua Lekota felt strongly about Mr Zuma’s comments on corruption, saying the president had said a lot but ommitted the most important details — shedding light on the controversial security upgrades to his Nkandla residence in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mr Lekota, in a firey reaction to the address, said Mr Zuma had Free State Premier Ace Magashule sitting in front of him as he spoke, yet he said nothing about massive corruption in that province. He added that there were other MPs in the House who had "committed huge deeds" of corruption and did not face the consequences of their actions.
"And he says we are winning the battle against corruption," Mr Lekota added. "He kept saying we have a good story to tell — it is a story indeed, it is not a true reflection."
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