PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has taken on opposition parties in Parliament, saying they were losing their identities by speaking with one voice on a range of issues.
Replying to the debate on his State of the Nation Address, Zuma said by forming closer cooperation and speaking with one voice on issues, opposition parties were betraying the mandate given to them by the electorate.
"Some people as parties have difficulties in having their distinct views about issues. They must hang on others ... the reality is that it's always good in a democracy when there is a view you can identify (with), once it is blurred, it's a problem," he said.
Opposition parties have acted together to resist the ANC on a number of occasions. Last Friday, they arranged a joint press conference to respond to the State of the Nation Address.
In November, they jointly tabled a motion of no confidence in Zuma. They have also collectively rejected the Protection of State Information Bill. The parties have been holding a series of talks under the banner of the Multi-Party Forum, where they are discussing the possibility of a coalition ahead of the 2014 national elections.
But Zuma advised opposition parties to avoid grandstanding and to put South Africa first.
"All of us have the patriotic duty and responsibility to build and promote our country. Rhetoric and grandstanding is a luxury the country cannot afford," he said.
Responding to a complaint by IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi that he (Zuma) had not answered his letter - explaining why he [Buthelezi] had joined the other opposition parties in tabling a motion of no confidence in the president - Zuma said he was surprised that Buthelezi had chosen to write him a letter when he could have easily asked for a meeting to put his point of view across.
This led to a light exchange between the two as Buthelezi rose in the House to seek further clarity from Zuma over his criticism.
Zuma also pointed out that the medium term strategic framework - which shapes government programmes over a particular period - would be aligned with the National Development Plan [NDP] as part of making the plan the central direction of government work covering the period 2014-2019
All other government strategies and departmental plans would also be linked to the NDP, he said.
"Our cross-cutting strategies such as the New Growth Path, Industrial Policy Action Plan, the departmental strategic plans, annual performance plans and municipal integrated development plans and every other government plan will fall under the umbrella of the NDP," said Zuma.
A draft of the 2014-2019 strategic framework aligned to the NDP will be presented for cabinet approval after the 2014 elections.
Zuma takes on opposition in Parliament
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has taken on opposition parties in Parliament, saying they were losing their identities by speaking with one voice on a range of issues.
Replying to the debate on his State of the Nation Address, Zuma said by forming closer cooperation and speaking with one voice on issues, opposition parties were betraying the mandate given to them by the electorate.
"Some people as parties have difficulties in having their distinct views about issues. They must hang on others ... the reality is that it's always good in a democracy when there is a view you can identify (with), once it is blurred, it's a problem," he said.
Opposition parties have acted together to resist the ANC on a number of occasions. Last Friday, they arranged a joint press conference to respond to the State of the Nation Address.
In November, they jointly tabled a motion of no confidence in Zuma. They have also collectively rejected the Protection of State Information Bill. The parties have been holding a series of talks under the banner of the Multi-Party Forum, where they are discussing the possibility of a coalition ahead of the 2014 national elections.
But Zuma advised opposition parties to avoid grandstanding and to put South Africa first.
"All of us have the patriotic duty and responsibility to build and promote our country. Rhetoric and grandstanding is a luxury the country cannot afford," he said.
Responding to a complaint by IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi that he (Zuma) had not answered his letter - explaining why he [Buthelezi] had joined the other opposition parties in tabling a motion of no confidence in the president - Zuma said he was surprised that Buthelezi had chosen to write him a letter when he could have easily asked for a meeting to put his point of view across.
This led to a light exchange between the two as Buthelezi rose in the House to seek further clarity from Zuma over his criticism.
Zuma also pointed out that the medium term strategic framework - which shapes government programmes over a particular period - would be aligned with the National Development Plan [NDP] as part of making the plan the central direction of government work covering the period 2014-2019
All other government strategies and departmental plans would also be linked to the NDP, he said.
"Our cross-cutting strategies such as the New Growth Path, Industrial Policy Action Plan, the departmental strategic plans, annual performance plans and municipal integrated development plans and every other government plan will fall under the umbrella of the NDP," said Zuma.
A draft of the 2014-2019 strategic framework aligned to the NDP will be presented for cabinet approval after the 2014 elections.
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