Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that despite facing difficulties, the existence of millions of South Africans has undergone significant changes since the advent of democracy in 1994.
Ramaphosa said this on Thursday while responding to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate.
“The debate in this House over the last two days has shown that there are sharp differences among political parties about our past. There are also sharp differences about our present and indeed about our future as well.
“Yet amongst all the contributions made in the debate, no speaker has been able to refute a fundamental reality that the lives of millions of South Africans have been transformed over the 30 years of freedom. This is the reality… whether we like it, or we don’t like it, that is the reality we confront,” he said.
[WATCH] “Everyone born after democracy is a true Tintswalo, whether they like it or not.” President Cyril Ramaphosa points out examples of “Tintswalos” who have become pilots, engineers, police, doctors, etc. #SONAResponse #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/Qb8Ryt4cRB
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) February 15, 2024
While acknowledging progress, Ramaphosa highlighted urgent challenges, including unemployment, rising living costs, crime, load shedding, corruption, and municipal service delivery struggles.
“We need to celebrate the fact that young people… have had the opportunities that were never available before. But we also need to recognise, as we did in the [SONA] that young people… still have many challenges.
“Despite everything we have achieved, many South Africans, young and old, are concerned about the state of affairs in our nation, and rightly so. Many people cannot find jobs. Even people with jobs wonder if they will be able to provide for their families as the cost of living increases,” he said.
He outlined government achievements in the economy, tourism, and agriculture, expressing commitment to resolving ongoing issues.
SONA2024 “Tintswalo, democracy’s child, grew up in a democracy that was worlds apart from the South Africa of her parents, South Africa of her grandparents, and great-grandparents.” – President @CyrilRamaphosa#LeaveNoOneBehind 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/9zXfkrhxlO
— #SONA2024 | Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) February 15, 2024
“Over the last five years, we have made significant progress in restoring our economy to grow and create jobs. When COVID hit, our economy tanked and just to demonstrate the resilience of our economy, it bounced back and now it is above the pre-COVID period.
“We have seen the results of these efforts in the growth of our agricultural exports. In 2022, South Africa’s agricultural exports reached a record $12.8 billion or R247 billion and we are the top food secure country on our continent.
“We have seen a massive increase in international tourists coming to our country. Between January and December last year, our country recorded 8.5 million international tourist arrivals, which was a 29% increase on the previous year,” he said.
[WATCH] President Cyril Ramaphosa says all MPs who participated in the #SONADebate agree that lives of millions of South Africans have been transformed over the three decades of freedom. #SONAReply #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/KF9VolK4IF
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) February 15, 2024
Despite differences among political parties, Ramaphosa emphasised the collective effort needed to build a better life for all South Africans.
“As a nation, we continue to write the story of Tintswalo. Through our collective actions, through our sheer determination, we will ensure that all the Tintswalos of this country, together with their parents and grandparents, overcome the many challenges of the present.
“It is by working together that we will continue to write the story of our free nation and of a future of peace, comfort and prosperity for all,” said Ramaphosa.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
