Both houses of Parliament to begin two-day debate on Ramaphosa’s SONA

Both houses of Parliament will begin a two-day debate on Tuesday on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week.

Ramaphosa made several bold announcements in his speech, including the deployment of the army to gang-ravaged communities and the establishment of a crisis committee to deal with the country’s water problems.

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These are among some of the issues set to dominate this week’s debate.

In an address that lasted almost two hours, Ramaphosa crossed a diverse terrain of issues plaguing the country.

He said the country is emerging from a dark five years following the COVID-19 pandemic, floods and civil unrest.

“We are turning towards hope, towards the reality of a better future for all. The progress we have made over the last five years does give us hope and encouragement. It shows what we can achieve when we work together.”

While the economy is starting to tick up again, the gains are still small, and slow, and the opposition parties are likely to hit back at the perceived gains of the Government of National Unity (GNU), with party and parliamentary leaders among the first speakers.

Other topical issues due to be debated are the interim report of the Madlanga Commission, the proposed interventions in dysfunctional municipalities and the unbundling of Eskom to allow for private operators.

Ramaphosa also declared foot-and-mouth disease a national disaster in his address, as farmers face losing their livelihoods amid the start of a state-controlled mass vaccination drive.

The debate will be followed by Ramaphosa’s reply on Thursday.