WATCH | Ramaphosa rebuts EFF's Shivambu, defends achievements against 'fiction' claims

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to criticism from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president Floyd Shivambu, who accused him of presenting a fictional reality with repetitive promises, particularly regarding job creation.

Shivambu responding to Ramaphosa’s Opening of Parliament Address at the Cape Town City Hall on Friday, said that his party rejected the government of national unity (GNU) due to the inclusion of the DA and forming a “bloated executive”.

He also suggested that Ramaphosa should be nominated for a South African Film and Television Award (Saftas) for “Best Fiction” due to what he described as unrealistic promises.

“I want to propose that we should nominate Cyril Ramaphosa for Saftas for Best Fiction.

Ramaphosa deserves award for fictional leader.

~ DP @FloydShivambu pic.twitter.com/Iezb63A14r

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“If there is no such category, we must introduce a category of a lifetime achiever award on fiction because everything that he represents is just fiction,” Shivambu said.

In his rebuttal, Ramaphosa on Monday countered that Shivambu was the one out of touch with reality.

He highlighted tangible achievements such as improvements in schools and support for small-scale farmers through public employment programs and agricultural vouchers.

“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 the country where more than a million school assistants have made a tangible difference in improving learning outcomes, supporting curriculum delivery and improving classroom environment.

President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses Floyd Shivambu after the deputy minister of the EFF accused Ramaphosa of living in a fiction world rather than in reality….

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“As a person who is so well educated, who is also reading for his PHD, he will find it very useful just to go to some of the schools so that he can see what these young people are doing,” said Ramaphosa.

He added: We deployed the young people during Covid to go and assist in schools and they did not have an experience in the world of work. As they were deployed, they started demonstrating their capability…

“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.

“We see the impact of the 188 000 agricultural input vouchers that have been issued to small-scale farmers to expand their production and support food security,” the president said.

Ramaphosa also criticised the divisive rhetoric from some MPs, calling for more constructive and unified discussions to address racial and economic issues.