‘We are collectively responsible’: Ramaphosa hits back at Sona criticism from GNU parties

President Cyril Ramphosa replied to the State of the Nation Address (Sona) debate on Thursday afternoon. Picture: X President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that in Cabinet there are no political parties, only a collective government sharing responsibility for success and failures. The president said this as he replied to the State of the Nation Address (Sona) debate on Thursday afternoon.

His reply comes after opposition parties challenged Ramaphosa on unemployment, economic growth, crime and reform during the debate on Tuesday and Wednesday. During the debate, members of parliament (MPs) spoke on behalf of their political parties. DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said on Tuesday that South Africa’s improving economic indicators were a direct result of the DA’s participation in the government of national unity (GNU).

“But in Cabinet, there are no parties,” the president said. “There are no ANC or DA or IFP or PA or UDM or GOOD or FF Plus or PAC or Al Jama-ah ministries.” “Our successes are the achievements of the collective. On Wednesday, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK party) spokesperson, said Ramaphosa spoke of progress in the economy while the country burns with unemployment.

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The president said that although progress is modest, the momentum of change is building. He said the promising signs of recovery include reduced unemployment, improved public finances and low inflation.

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