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Opposition Parties Clash Over Ramaphosa’s First GNU SONA
Opposition parties have delivered mixed reactions to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) under the Government of National Unity (GNU), with critics condemning his leadership while GNU allies defended the administration’s progress.
Leaders from opposition parties, including uMkhonto weSizwe’s (MK) John Hlophe and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, strongly criticized Ramaphosa’s governance, while GNU coalition members praised the unity government’s efforts to address national challenges.
Hlophe took the opportunity to praise former President Jacob Zuma while launching an attack on Ramaphosa, calling his leadership one of the worst in the country’s history.
“During his tenure as head of state, President Zuma never told lies. He never claimed easy victories but prioritised the work on the ground and delivered services to our people,” Hlophe said.
[WATCH] “Former president Jacob Zuma never told lies, he never claimed easy victories and he prioritised the work on the ground,” – MK Party parliamentary leader Dr John Hlophe. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/PVqM9ETruh
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) February 11, 2025
EFF leader Julius Malema struck a different tone, offering unexpected support to Ramaphosa in his stance against the United States. Malema urged the president to stand firm against former US President Donald Trump and his alleged attempts to pressure South Africa.
“We agree with you, Mr President, that we should not be bullied. We stand on the shoulders of giants who confronted the establishment with their very lives, and we are willing to follow in their footsteps. We are not cowards, and they must not try us,” Malema said.
[LIVE] #Sona2025Debate EFF leader Julius Malema: “We agree with you Mr President that we should not be bullied. We are not cowards and they must not try us.” He adds, “You said ‘thuma mina’. The nation sent you and we don’t know what we sent you to do.” #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/lMamL7YvMo
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) February 11, 2025
Malema dismissed suggestions that US pressure stemmed from the recently enacted Expropriation Act, arguing that South Africa should not bow to foreign influence.
Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald addressed issues affecting the Afrikaans-speaking community, emphasizing the need to recognize their contributions to the country.
“We can only succeed if we address our problems, look each other in the eye, and put the inconvenient truth on the table. We must ensure that we make South Africa so prosperous that people don’t want to leave for other countries,” he said.
Groenewald stressed the importance of protecting Afrikaans rights and ensuring inclusivity in national policies.
[WATCH] “The Afrikaner always contributed… We work and develop our country. We must ensure that we make South Africa so prosperous that people don’t want to leave South Africa to go to other countries.” – Groenewald#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/wcU5yzTAtX
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) February 11, 2025
BuildOne South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane called for a smaller cabinet and increased funding for policing to combat crime effectively.
Meanwhile, African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyolwethu Zungula highlighted concerns over unregulated spaza shops, calling for stricter penalties against non-compliant businesses, arguing that mere registration would not resolve the problem.
National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams demanded greater protection for coloured communities in the Cape Flats, criticizing Minister John Steenhuisen for prioritizing agricultural concerns over human lives.
[WATCH] “Mr President, if you want to see growth let’s cut waste, let’s make sure we half the cabinet. If we want 4 000 more police detectives, I say reduce the cabinet and fund the police” – BOSA leader Mmusi
Maimane.#Newzroom405 #SONA2025 pic.twitter.com/J8aetwKd9M— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) February 11, 2025
[WATCH] “I heard a man stand here wanting to engage the minister of police about cattle theft, but my boys are dying 10 at a time per day in the Cape Flats; he does not speak to SAPS about that. A white man’s sheep is more important than Coloured lives to John Steenhusein” -… pic.twitter.com/Ntj909igLq
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) February 11, 2025
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