MOSTLY positive reactions greeted President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address last night.
ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema welcomed Zuma's move to endorse the African Exploration, Mining and Finance Corporation as the state-owned mining company.
"The president has come to appreciate that minerals belong to us. We must now start eating mangos and not just having a mango tree," said Malema after the speech.
He also praised Zuma for taking care of the youth in his speech, saying that when Zuma spoke about job creation, he was "speaking directly to young people".
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela said Zuma's speech was "much better than last year's speech".
"It was critical, and very informative. It says in big huge letters that we are going to be a delivery state," she told Sowetan.
Minister of Sports and Recreation Fikile Mbalula praised the speech for being "more practical on the job question".
Cosatu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi praised the focus on jobs but warned that the amount of money was not enough to create five million jobs by 2014.
He said Cosatu supported companies who create jobs getting a new R20billion in tax breaks.
"The only thing that worries us is whether government is going to develop enough capacity. We would have expected the president to speak more about state efficiency. The fact that he didn't is worrying".
Vavi said Zuma should also have announced a ban on labour brokers. He praised Zuma's endorsement of a new state-owned mining company, pledging Cosatu's full co-operation.
DA MP Ian Ollis said the speech was more like a "wish-list".
"It is great that he is putting money into jobs but he is not rewarding companies who create jobs. Money can be allocated to bank accounts but what is the programme to create those jobs?" Ollis asked.
A skeptical Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the beleaguered IFP, said of Zuma's new R39billion job commitments that the proof of the pudding would be in the eating.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa was more upbeat. He commended Zuma for allocating R9billion directly to job creation, but said he should have praised former president Thabo Mbeki for his peacemaking efforts in Sudan.
Cope leader Mbhazima Shilowa, who was expelled by Mosiuoa Lekota from the party this week but does not recognise his own expulsion, said Zuma had made "some good pronouncements".
"But when you look at the economy, the speech was more about resources than about how those jobs are going to be created. It seems Zuma was talking about piece jobs."
Thumbs up for JZ speech
MOSTLY positive reactions greeted President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address last night.
ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema welcomed Zuma's move to endorse the African Exploration, Mining and Finance Corporation as the state-owned mining company.
"The president has come to appreciate that minerals belong to us. We must now start eating mangos and not just having a mango tree," said Malema after the speech.
He also praised Zuma for taking care of the youth in his speech, saying that when Zuma spoke about job creation, he was "speaking directly to young people".
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela said Zuma's speech was "much better than last year's speech".
"It was critical, and very informative. It says in big huge letters that we are going to be a delivery state," she told Sowetan.
Minister of Sports and Recreation Fikile Mbalula praised the speech for being "more practical on the job question".
Cosatu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi praised the focus on jobs but warned that the amount of money was not enough to create five million jobs by 2014.
He said Cosatu supported companies who create jobs getting a new R20billion in tax breaks.
"The only thing that worries us is whether government is going to develop enough capacity. We would have expected the president to speak more about state efficiency. The fact that he didn't is worrying".
Vavi said Zuma should also have announced a ban on labour brokers. He praised Zuma's endorsement of a new state-owned mining company, pledging Cosatu's full co-operation.
DA MP Ian Ollis said the speech was more like a "wish-list".
"It is great that he is putting money into jobs but he is not rewarding companies who create jobs. Money can be allocated to bank accounts but what is the programme to create those jobs?" Ollis asked.
A skeptical Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the beleaguered IFP, said of Zuma's new R39billion job commitments that the proof of the pudding would be in the eating.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa was more upbeat. He commended Zuma for allocating R9billion directly to job creation, but said he should have praised former president Thabo Mbeki for his peacemaking efforts in Sudan.
Cope leader Mbhazima Shilowa, who was expelled by Mosiuoa Lekota from the party this week but does not recognise his own expulsion, said Zuma had made "some good pronouncements".
"But when you look at the economy, the speech was more about resources than about how those jobs are going to be created. It seems Zuma was talking about piece jobs."
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos