SONA debate: Ramaphosa attributes some of SA's social ills to apartheid era

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has attributed some issues plaguing South Africa to inherited suffering and inequality from the apartheid era.

However, he said his government has tried to address them through various interventions including social grants and other programmes.

Ramaphosa was responding to harsh criticism by opposition parties during a two-day debate over his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The president initially replied by acknowledging his government’s shortcomings and failures.

These include load shedding, corruption and crime.

"Violent crime continues to plague communities across our country and I have been clear, direct and honest by outlining all the challenges that our people are facing."

But he said a lot of the poverty and suffering didn’t happen in a vacuum and had a lot to do with the previous regime.

"The apartheid system and colonialism bequeathed us poverty and inequality. That is what those past systems bequeathed the people of South Africa."

He also continued the story of Tintswalo saying a some people have hurled insults at the fictional character.

Ramaphosa said everyone born in a democracy is Tintswalo whether they like it or not.