Reneva Fourie
Our people are ensnared in poverty, and our townships are plagued by extortion and crime. As the legitimacy of the state crumbles, those who were the historical beneficiaries of apartheid are conspiring with Western interests to undermine our progress.
Now, more than ever, the overwhelming majority of South Africans committed to a united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist, and prosperous nation must rise to confront the challenges we face. For this to occur, the centre must hold firmly.
While citizen-centric development must indeed be people-driven, with robust collective leadership overseeing the process, the urgency of this moment demands the exceptional leadership of a fearless individual.
In moments of crisis, we have looked to the wisdom and courage of leaders like Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani, Joe Slovo, and Nelson Mandela.
It is thus expected that President Cyril Ramaphosa, with public support, will harness his authority and decisively guide South Africa toward realising its true potential as a great nation.
Hence, the auspiciousness of the State of the Nation Address. Thirty-five years ago, former President De Klerk made a bold move by using the SONA to announce the ceding to the demands of the ANC’s Harare Declaration, paving the way for negotiations.
Inspired by the commitment to the Freedom Charter, which articulated our vision for a new South Africa seventy years ago, expectations were high that the President’s address on February 6 would chart a way forward to navigate our current difficulties.
The tone of the event did not start well.
Prior to the commencement of the SONA, South Africans observed public representatives donning their ‘Proudly South Africa’ attire, a display meant to evoke national pride. However, as some politicians shamelessly flaunted their ostentatious outfits, the spectacle left a bitter aftertaste. This was particularly jarring given the recent surge in fuel prices, heralding an inevitable spike in the cost of living for ordinary citizens.
The juxtaposition of such flamboyance against widespread economic hardship felt insensitive and disconnected from the realities facing many South Africans today.
Nonetheless, the President came close to hitting the mark in his speech. The core of the SONA centred on the medium-term development plan’s three strategic priorities: creating inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty, tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
Much of the detail gave precedence to creating an inclusive and transformative economy, and rightfully so. Tackling the economy, aligning skills with market demands, and guaranteeing stable incomes for individuals are crucial steps in reducing poverty and crime.
The effectiveness, however, resides in the methodology applied.
The energy, water, logistics, and communications sectors fundamentally support any state’s efficient functioning. It is, therefore, encouraging to observe significant investments being allocated towards the development and enhancement of infrastructure.
These initiatives will focus on vital projects such as roads, ports, water supply, sanitation, student aid, transportation, healthcare, and energy systems, which together will contribute to the overall improvement of societal well-being and economic growth.
With 60 per cent of the national budget allocated to the social wage, emphasis is placed on equal access to education and quality healthcare. A key component in this effort is the ongoing preparatory work for establishing the National Health Insurance, which aims to ensure everyone receives equitable treatment.
Additionally, the government appears committed to addressing housing shortages and releasing more under-utilised state properties to develop affordable human settlements.
State-owned enterprises manage a significant portion of our network industries, and reforming these entities includes facilitating competition in sectors such as electricity generation, freight rail, port terminals, and water supply. This situation is concerning, as privatisation and development often contradict one another.
In a country where economic growth and opportunities are still unevenly distributed, transferring critical state functions to the private sector suggests that the state may gradually diminish its ability to maintain affordable tariffs, encourage service expansion to less profitable areas, and safeguard the security of supply, the overall functionality of essential services and the country in general.
A notable initiative for job creation is accelerated industrialisation driven by sector-specific strategies focused on localisation, diversification, digitisation, and decarbonisation. In conjunction with enhanced trade, this initiative is poised to bolster the economy and robustly generate employment opportunities.
South Africa’s presidency of the G20 will undoubtedly provide significant exposure and boost our hospitality sector. The transitions related to automation and green energy, however, must be implemented in a manner that does not exacerbate the prevailing unemployment crisis or compromise our resource advantages. Increasingly, technological innovations are enabling the generation of clean energy from coal. Therefore, coal should not be entirely excluded from our energy source mix.
It is encouraging to observe that public employment programmes will continue to be a key component of job creation initiatives. These programmes have demonstrated their effectiveness in generating substantial and meaningful employment opportunities. Expanding these initiatives could further enhance their impact, particularly if efforts are made to eliminate the outsourcing of public functions.
By ceasing the practice of outsourcing, we not only foster the creation of more stable job opportunities but also reduce the potential for corruption that frequently arises from delegating public services to private entities. Reinforcing our commitment to public employment programmes is essential for promoting a more equitable and transparent labour market.
Lastly, among the array of initiatives presented is the continuation of funding for the development of black-owned small, medium, and micro enterprises.
Entrepreneurship is essential for the growth of any economy; however, organic efforts toward self-sufficiency have demonstrated greater sustainability compared to artificially imposed interventions.
Despite its modest size, the Social Relief Distress Grant (SRDG) has afforded recipients a degree of financial independence by enhancing their purchasing power. Numerous beneficiaries have leveraged this support to establish more sustainable livelihoods.
Furthermore, the SRDG significantly mitigates the vulnerability of individuals affected by gender-based violence and femicide, as it provides them with a reliable source of income. This initiative must be fully expanded into a basic income grant.
These initiatives aimed at job creation and poverty alleviation are set to inspire hope among our youth, particularly unemployed graduates, while also helping to restore peace in our communities.
Moreover, as law enforcement agencies collaborate to dismantle organised crime syndicates, we can expect a decline in the rampant extortion and gangsterism that currently plague us.
The establishment of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption as a permanent body is a promising step forward in the fight against corruption. Moreover, the Special Investigating Unit and the Asset Forfeiture Unit’s recovery of over R10 billion associated with state capture cases will ensure that these funds are utilised for the benefit of society.
But, South Africa’s safety concerns extend beyond crime.
While addressing the needs of our people remains a fundamental priority, we recognise that development and security are intrinsically linked. Our troops have recently made significant contributions to the SADC peacekeeping mission in Mozambique, working to restore stability in the Cabo Delgado region.
Additionally, South Africa has deployed peacekeepers in the eastern DRC, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution to a conflict that has claimed numerous lives, including those of our brave peacekeepers. The repatriation of our missions’ injured and fallen heroes is a pressing matter.
National security, however, does not appear to be a priority, as the SONA notably omitted any discussion on strengthening the capabilities of our defence force and intelligence services. There was also a conspicuous silence regarding the potential threats posed by collaborations between local institutions and foreign governments or entities.
These alliances could jeopardise our transformation agenda and contribute to the destabilisation of our nation.
The critical issues related to social cohesion and national unity were also swept under the carpet. A façade of all being well in the GNU was projected. Indeed, numerous political parties conveyed their approach to the SONA as a collective vision to address the country’s fundamental challenges, asserting that the nation is solid and united.
However, both the Freedom Front Plus and the Democratic Alliance underscored their determination to protect the interests of their constituents.
Pieter Groenewald and John Steenhuisen explicitly articulated their opposition to land reform and confirmed their intentions to continue challenging the Expropriation Act through legal means.
Furthermore, Steenhuisen voiced his objection to any pro-poor initiatives, asserting that their involvement in the GNU is aimed at halting any progression towards socialism.
In addition to impeding transformative programmes such as the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) and the Expropriation Acts, they are also obstructing the implementation of the NHI, seeking to prevent public funds from being redirected from private medical aids – benefiting a limited population – to public health initiatives that would serve the broader public interest.
While the President’s address offers hope, the opposition he faces may complicate his efforts.
There is an urgent need for action on the ground.
The current circumstances demand a mindset rooted in determination. We cannot allow transformation to be derailed. To tackle the lasting effects of inequality, it is crucial that we unite.
The National Dialogue will allow us to help shape the future we envision for our country. We must stand up for our nation, even with differing views. While we may not always see eye to eye on various issues, improving the well-being of all is pertinent.
Additionally, it is vital that we actively strive for self-sufficiency, as this will safeguard us from the threats posed by more powerful nations.
The successful implementation of the outcomes from the National Dialogue hinges on the presence of robust and decisive leadership capable of confronting formidable domestic and international forces. President Ramaphosa must take the lead in steering our nation towards equity, justice and mutual appreciation and respect.
* Dr Reneva Fourie is a policy analyst specialising in governance, development and security and co-author of the book ‘The Art of Power: Pursuing Liberation and Nation-building’.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.