'Rain is a blessing,' says parliament speaker as Ramaphosa prepares to deliver maiden GNU speech

Members of the Progressive Caucus, Julius Malema, John Hlophe, and Vuyolwethu Zungula. (Photo: Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo) (Photo: Gallo Images/ Foto24/Nelius Rademan) (Photo: Gallo Images/Misha Jordaan)

By Queenin Masuabi and Velani Ludidi

18 Jul 2024

President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to deliver his maiden GNU speech for the 7th Administration at 7pm on Thursday, with the wet weather potentially affecting outdoor proceedings. His address is expected to have a hint of nostalgia, as the country celebrates Mandela Day. Just hours before, the Progressive Caucus – consisting of parties on the opposition benches – set out its charter in opposition to the GNU.

The Opening of Parliament (OPA) takes place in rain-soaked Cape Town on Mandela Day, which is symbolic of the tune the Government of National Unity (GNU) will have to take in order to serve South Africans.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech comes off the back of a two-day lekgotla that was held in Pretoria last weekend, where the GNU discussed the key priorities for the next five years.

All parties presented their manifestos in an attempt to identify the most pressing matters, such as unemployment, poverty, inequality and fighting crime and corruption.

The speech is also meant to embody the nine key priorities in the GNU statement of intent, signed by all parties that form the pact. These include strengthening local government, achieving rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and undertaking common programmes against racism, sexism, tribalism and other forms of intolerance.

The statement wants law enforcement agencies to stringently address crime, corruption and gender-based violence, as well as to build national security capabilities.

The foreign policy proposal for the pact is expected to be based on human rights, constitutionalism, national interest, solidarity, and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

In the buildup, Cape Town’s weather conditions have been gloomy and wet, which might affect the order of business.

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza mentioned potential changes to the OPA’s outdoor activities due to persistent rain.

“Rain is a blessing, especially in our African culture. It’s crucial for agriculture in the Western Cape. The Defence Force will assess if they can effectively conduct their drills under these conditions,” she said.

‘Speech will proceed as planned’

Didiza also noted that the planned flying of jets might not occur due to the weather, but said that the president’s speech would proceed as planned.

“We are all eagerly awaiting the president’s address to hear his administration’s plans for the next five years.”

Meanwhile, the leader of the official opposition party in Parliament, Dr John Hlophe, says that while the Progressive Caucus will promote the rule of law, it will not shy away from criticising it either. The parties have also mentioned the need to move away from a eurocentric style of law to a more afrocentric focus.

The impeached judge, who is now the leader of former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe party (MK party) in Parliament was tasked to relay the charter of the grouping on Thursday afternoon at the Good Hope Chambers in Parliament.

Read more: Ahead of Opening of Parliament Address, Ramaphosa finds himself at peak power – possibly not for long

Didiza confirmed to Newzroom Afrika that the MK party, which is the third largest party, would now be the official opposition since the DA was part of the GNU.

The Progressive Caucus represents 102 seats (25, 5%) in the National Assembly, and includes the MK party, EFF, the African Transformation Movement (ATM), the National Coloured Congress (NCC) and the United African Transformation (UAT).

Reading from the charter, Hlophe said: “This coalition, claiming to be a Government of National Unity (GNU), is a design of white monopoly capital whose objective is to mask the class and race contradictions exposed by the 2024 electoral outcomes. It seeks to foreclose the possibility of the unity of all progressive forces to form a progressive government that will institute a meaningful transformation of the South African economy and society as a whole.

‘Prepared to oppose any unjust law”

“We shall promote the supremacy and rule of law; however, we are prepared to oppose any unjust law. We shall advocate for complete decolonisation of our legal framework to reflect justice, equality and an Afro-centric legal philosophy and praxis,” Hlophe said.

Their charter aims to bring equality and justice to the disenfranchised through seven pillars. Expropriation of land without compensation for equitable redistribution, the nationalisation of banks and the mines are mentioned in the document.
It vows to champion free quality education, healthcare, housing, water and sanitation, industrial development of the African economy while it wants to promote the liberation Struggle legacy of progressive internationalism.

The caucus does not have the required numbers to make any changes to the Constitution, however it proposes bills to legislate the insourcing of security guards, cleaners and other general workers in government departments, the provision of free sanitary towels for the poor and the nationalisation of the South African Reserve Bank.

The caucus has resolved that apartheid laws be repealed, a Foreign Agents Bill will be introduced and student debt will be cancelled.

It has called for parliamentary inquiries into the manipulation of the rand, the sexual abuse of inmates in prison and the conditions and remuneration of farm and domestic workers.

OPA a moment of reckoning

The ANC has mentioned that national elections outcomes have necessitated a moment of deep reckoning for the country as it yet again has to embody the principle of inclusivity that was championed by South Africa’s first democratic president, Nelson Mandela.

“The OPA today will be a crucial platform to outline how South Africa must work on the basis of a binding vision. The president’s address this evening will not only reflect on our progress but will also set forth a clear and actionable plan for the future. It will highlight the need for renewed commitment to the ideals of non-racialism, non-sexism, democracy, and transformation, ensuring that every South African has a stake in our nation’s success,” according to the ANC.

GNU partner the United Democratic Movement says the opening of Parliament should give Ramaphosa the opportunity to outline steps for South Africa’s immediate future, adding that there should be a path towards realising the National Development Plan.

“We hope that President Ramaphosa will outline an acceleration programme to achieve these goals by 2030, starting with economic stimulation and prioritising the country’s safety and security. This is crucial not only for the well-being of our people, but also because safe environments are essential for attracting and retaining investors,” he said.

'Deal with crime and corruption'

Rise Mzansi wants the president to fully back steps towards dealing with crime and corruption. The party also forms part of the GNU, with its leader Songezo Zibi having been elected as the chairperson of Parliament's Standing Committee On Public Accounts.

The party says the president’s speech should be different from all his previous addresses which are “generally punctuated by jargon, flowery language and pie-in-the-sky proposals.”

“The president needs to fully support the work of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster by charging the minister of police to focus on halving the murder rate; removing illegal guns from the streets; professionalising the SAPS; addressing the root causes of crime and bolstering the Detective, Visible Policing, and Crime Intelligence divisions,” the party reiterated. DM

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South Africa

‘Speech will proceed as planned’

‘Prepared to oppose any unjust law”

OPA a moment of reckoning

'Deal with crime and corruption'