Maimane gets 2/10

SIR — Every year, the Democratic Alliance (DA) provides the South African voting public with an assessment of ministerial performance. On the basis of well-thought-out objective criteria, ministers are evaluated and then scored out of 10. In the nature of the beast, few score more than 6/10 and most score less than that. Last year, President Jacob Zuma scored 1/10. In the context of the state of the nation address, I’d be interested to know how the DA would evaluate the quality of opposition party leader speeches in response.

First, what would the measurement criteria be? A constructive and objective evaluation of the content of the address? A focus on the issues presented rather than the persona of the incumbent? An ability to connect with his/her party policy, with South Africans concerned about their future in this country? An ability to offer alternative and concrete deliverables for the future? An ability to offer those who are unhappy with their party’s performance a viable and alternative voting choice?

If the above were some of the criteria used to evaluate the various opposition party leaders’ responses, I’d give the DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane 2/10. He spent most of his time impugning the dignity of the president and playing the man and not the ball. He offered no solace to those of us who are looking for real policy alternatives. I pondered on who he thought he was talking to, certainly not deeply concerned South Africans. Maybe just his own neoliberal ego.

Minister Pravin Gordhan summed it up well: personal criticism and negative comment is easy — and cheap — but offering viable alternatives and problem-solving in this complex country is more difficult.

Through most of these speeches, Mr Zuma sat there smiling because he has seduced the opposition into mostly playing the man and not the ball.

Steuart Pennington

Nottingham Road