NATIONAL ELECTIONS SET FOR MAY 8
MPS and guests glitter and sparkle on the red carpet at the State of the Nation address
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa announced May 8 as the date South Africans will head to the polls to elect the country’s government.
Delivering his widely welcomed State of the Nation address last night, he said: “In a few months’ time, South Africans will go to the polls for the sixth time in our democracy to vote for national and provincial governments.
“This is an opportunity for our people to exercise their hard-won right to determine the direction of this country.”
He reminded all eligible voters who had not yet registered that they still had until the proclamation of the election date to register.
“We are a people of resilience, of determination and of optimism.
“Despite the worst excesses of apartheid, we did not descend into vengeance when our freedom was won.
“Our democracy has blossomed and flourished, nurtured by the goodwill of the men and women of this great land, who understand only too well at what cost it was attained.
“But the road towards true freedom is a long one, and we have seen divisions in our society grow,” said Ramaphosa.
He announced the much-expected plans to unbundle power utility Eskom into three separate entities.
The power utility was in crisis and the risks it posed were great, he conceded. “It could severely damage our economic and social development ambitions. We need to take bold decisions and decisive action,” he said.
“The consequences may be painful, but they will be even more devastating if we delay,” Ramaphosa said.
He said the government would lead a process with labour, Eskom and other stakeholders to work out the details of a just transition, and proper, credible and sustainable plans that would address the needs of all those who may be affected.
Ramaphosa said Finance Minister Tito Mboweni would provide further details in his Budget Speech.
Ramaphosa said Eskom would need to develop a new business model.
“We shall immediately embark on a process of establishing three separate entities – generation, transmission and distribution – under Eskom Holdings.
“This will ensure that we isolate cost and give responsibility to each appropri- ate entity,” he said.
Ramaphosa said they tasked Deputy President David Mabuza to lead the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform to fast-track land reform.
An advisory panel of experts, headed by Dr Vuyo Mahlati, established to advise government on its land reform programme, is expected to table its report by the end of next month.
“As part of accelerating land reform, we have identified land parcels owned by the state for redistribution.
“Strategically located land will be released to address human settlements needs in urban and peri-urban areas.
“As part of the stimulus package in agriculture, we have invested significantly in comprehensive farmer development support to ensure that restituted and communal land is productively utilised.
“We will continue to prioritise targeted skills development and capacity building programmes for smallholder and emerging black farmers,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the revelations emerging from the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into state capture and other commissions were deeply disturbing.
“Where there is a basis to prosecute, prosecutions must follow swiftly and stolen public funds must be recovered urgently.”
He said he agreed with the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Shamila Batohi, that there was an urgent need to establish in the office of the NDPP an investigating directorate dealing with serious corruption and associated offences.
MEMBERS of Parliament and guests to the State of the Nation address used the red carpet to display their designer clothes yesterday.
Former Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille predicted, as she walked the red carpet, she would once again attend the event as an MP.
De Lille’s comment to TV crews made plain her optimism that her Good party would win enough votes in the May national elections to secure seats in the National Assembly.
The firebrand politician said her off-white kaftan dress, with bright print trim, was made from Ethiopian fabric in a nod to the enabling environment that country’s first female president, Sahle-Work Zewde, has created for women.
“I’m paying tribute to my Ethiopian sisters,” she said, adding it was, however, sewn by a local designer.
Her former colleagues in the DA turned on the glamour, with MP Terri Stander sparkling in a nostalgic yellow column dress with a bow at the waist and train by Kobus Dippenaar.
Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane wore a watermelon pink wrap dress and arrived with suspended ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe.
Arguably the boldest showing was the wife of ANC MP Matthews Womarans, Lillian, in a ruffled dress with a plunging neckline, held up by a single, asymmetrical strap.
I’m paying tribute to my Ethiopian sisters
Patricia de Lille Leader of the Good party