President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday those who shared the vision of a better South Africa would find the doors of the Government of National Unity (GNU) always open to cooperation and collaboration.
“It is expected of all who have been entrusted with positions of leadership within the GNU that we rise to the challenge to be builders and not breakers,” he said.
He made the statement when he was replying to a debate on his Opening of Parliament Address.
“We must be at the forefront of building a capable, ethical developmental state, of growing an inclusive economy, and reducing poverty.”
On Thursday, Ramaphosa outlined three strategic priorities: inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical and developmental state. On Monday, the president said they would not allow their work to be derailed by sowers of disunity.
“The name-calling, race-baiting and ethnic chauvinism we have seen in the course of this debate has been regrettable," he said in reference to criticism of the GNU by the parties in opposition to the government.
Ramaphosa also said South Africa has now entered a new era in politics.
“It is an era of hope and optimism for the people of our country. We must demonstrate in word and deed that this is an era of a government of national unity and not a fleeting convenience.”
Ramaphosa said the GNU was very much alive to the challenges still facing the country.
“We must remind ourselves that South Africa is not in the opposition benches want us to believe, and have sought to loudly assert with sound and fury during this debate.”
He said South Africans should not lose sight that the country has come a long way over the past 30 years.
“Certainly, there have been setbacks and shortcomings, but we have done much to recover from these and are now committed to move forward with greater speed and impact.”
Ramaphosa said the GNU was determined to rapidly scale up the pace of its efforts to bring development and shared prosperity to the people by working together.
He acknowledged inputs made by several ministers, leaders of some parties and MPs during the debate on Friday, but also lashed out at EFF leaders Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu.
The duo called him a sell-out for his role in formation of the NUM and suggested that he should be nominated for a South African Film and Television Award for selling a fictitious story to South Africans.
Ramaphosa said it was important for Malema to play the ball, not the man, during debates.
“You spent a considerable amount of time playing me, the man. What is important in building this country is to play the ball of development.”
He suggested that Malema should read books and talk to former NUM leaders.
In his brief history of the NUM, Ramaphosa said the union was formed as a shield and a spear to improve the lives of mineworkers.
The union had brought the mining industry to a stop during a 21-day strike five years after it was formed.
“The question I would ask: waar was jy? where were you”? he said.
Shivambu had dismissed Ramaphosa’s assertion that two million jobs were created as a figment of his imagination.
“The Honourable Shivambu says we are living in an alternative reality when it comes to job creation. For a taste of reality, he could visit some of the 23,000 schools across this country where more than a million school assistants have made a tangible difference in improving learning outcomes, supporting curriculum delivery and improving the classroom environment,” he said.
“Unlike some in this House, we see the economic and social value of the work and livelihood support that has been made possible by mass public employment programmes,” Ramaphosa added.
Cape Times