Cape Town: President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a call to action, urging political parties, civil society groups, and citizens to unite and support the government in building an inclusive, equal, and fair South Africa. The President was responding to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) Debate held in Parliament this week.
According to South African Government News Agency, tensions with the United States following the Expropriation Act, the loss of 14 South African National Defence Force soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, discussions on equality, and a sluggish economy have recently challenged the nation. President Ramaphosa emphasized the need for national unity amidst these challenges, stating, “This is not the time for any of us to rush off to foreign lands to lay complaints about issues that we can solve ourselves in our country. We need South African solutions to South African problems.”
Despite differing views in South Africa, President Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of a unified message to the world. “While there are many diverse and different voices in our society, we must strive to convey a common message. We must say to our people and to the world, that we are committed to working together to build a society in which all South Africans are free and equal to build a nation that works for all,” he stated.
The President stressed that, despite differing political ideologies, there is a shared desire to build an inclusive country for all South Africans. He asked, “At this important moment in our country and in our world, we must ask ourselves what kind of a nation we want. We want a nation in which all people enjoy equal worth and equal opportunity. We want a nation in which the rule of law is protected and upheld. We want a dynamic and growing economy in which small businesses can emerge and expand.”
President Ramaphosa cited the Government of National Unity (GNU) as an example of how South Africans can collaborate despite differences. He acknowledged that the 10 political parties within the GNU might not always agree but emphasized their ability to work together. “Despite these differences, these political parties are working well together in the Government of National Unity. We are finding ways of mediating our differences and remain focused on the actions that we are all committed to undertake,” he explained.
The President described the current moment as one of opportunity and hope, noting that the GNU embodies this hope by prioritizing the common good over political differences. “We have demonstrated that we are prepared to put our political differences aside and work for the common good. This government remains united in pursuit of a South Africa that improves the material prospects of every South African man, woman, and child,” he said.
President Ramaphosa reaffirmed the commitment to uphold democracy and expand opportunities for all. “As we rise from this debate, I am convinced that despite our differences, we share a common desire for a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it. We share the vision of a nation that works for all,” he concluded.
The President delivered the first SONA of the GNU last Thursday, followed by a two-day debate, to which he responded today.