×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Red carpet affair for Zuma

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma arrived in Parliament in style to deliver his State of the Nation Address accompanied by army and police escorts including a mounted police guard.

The red carpet was rolled out for the president as he delivered his 5600-word, 18- page speech to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

Among the guests in the House were former president Thabo Mbeki and his wife Zanele, former president FW de Klerk and his wife Elita, and former deputy presidents Baleka Mbete and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Zuma's wives shared the front row of the president's bay with ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.

Atul Gupta and Vivien Reddy, both benefactors of the Zuma family, were also among the guests in the president's bay.

All nine premiers walked in line to the National Assembly ahead of the president and his entourage. They were followed by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke and all the judge presidents. Speakers of provincial legislatures were also part of the procession.

As MPs waited for Zuma to arrive, veteran legislator and IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi caused an uproar when he went around the chamber, handing out seven Valentine's bouquets and cards in large red envelopes to women in the ANC benches, starting with Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.

Zuma used his State of the Nation Address to give the nation a report back on his earlier promises and make new announcements on a number of key issues.

Among these was a possible windfall for teachers, who will be prioritised by a commission set up to investigate remuneration and employment conditions for state employees.

Also on the cards is a study of the country's tax regime to determine if it is still appropriate for revenue generation. The study will also review the the current mining royalties system with a view to reviewing it.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who will be commissioning the study later this year, has warned about dwindling revenues making it difficult for government to finance key projects.

Zuma, whose government faced a tough 2012 with escalating service delivery protests and strikes associated with violence - notably the strike at Lonmin's Marikana mine that led to the gunning down of 34 miners.

He has warned that government will get tough on those who damage property or threaten the safety of others when protesting.

"It is unacceptable when people's rights are violated by perpetrators of violent actions, such as actions that lead to injury and death of persons, damage to property and the destruction of valuable public infrastructure," said Zuma.

He also announced that government would reopen land restitution claims to include those who missed the December 31 1998 deadline to lodge land claims. He said government will also look into the possibility of accommodating those whose land was dispossessed before 1913.

Also to be explored are exceptions to the June 1913 cut-off date to accommodate claims by the descendants of the Khoi and San as well as heritage sites and historical landmarks.

President Jacob Zuma called for greater cooperation between all social partners to spur economic growth and create jobs

A flu-ridden Zuma said it was a fact that the country would miss the target of creating 11 million jobs by 2030 -- as set out in the National Development Plan -- unless the economy grew threefold.

Zuma took a tough stance on crime, singling out the rape and murder of Anene Booysen, and called for a concerted effort to end violence against women. "The brutality and cruelty meted out to defenceless women is unacceptable and has no place in our country," he said.

Making education an essential service will not take away teachers' constitutional rights such as the right to strike,

Later this year, the minister of finance will be commissioning a study of our current tax policies, to make sure that we have an appropriate revenue base to support public spending

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.