Cape Town – Opposition parties are pushing for the establishment of a new committee to oversee The Presidency, asserting that the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) should not diminish executive accountability.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to present his budget on Tuesday, following his appeal on Monday to critics to refrain from undermining the efforts of his new administration.
According to EWN, Build One South Africa (BOSA) and African Transformation Movement (ATM) members advocated for parliamentary scrutiny over the President, emphasising the importance of accountability in the new political landscape.
“As Build One SA, we support the establishment of a standing committee on The Presidency because the president, as the head of the executive, should too be better held to accountability by Parliament,” the report quoted BOSA member of Parliament Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster as saying.
Meanwhile, RISE Mzansi pledged not to shield ministers or The Presidency from scrutiny despite their role in the GNU.
On Monday, Ramaphosa criticised EFF leader Julius Malema for focusing too much on personal attacks rather than substantive issues.
Ramaphosa urged Malema to “play the ball, not the man”, emphasising the importance of respectful discourse.
“It is important that as we debate, we should play the ball and not the man. You spent a considerable amount of time playing me, the man,” the president said.
[WATCH] “It is important that as we debate, we should play the ball and not the man. You spent a considerable amount of time playing me, the man,” President Cyril Ramaphosa questions EFF leader Julius Malema’s debating style in Parliament. pic.twitter.com/6p2cdiIQkE
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 22, 2024
He challenged Malema to engage in constructive dialogue on matters like the formation of the National Union of Mineworkers, suggesting Malema educate himself by speaking with key historical figures involved.
“You and I need to sit down and talk about politics, especially about apartheid-era politics, which I think confuses you… I will be doing this so that whenever you stand up and talk, it will be about something that will give us a way forward,” Ramaphosa said.
He also responded to criticism from 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, had 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.
Ramaphosa deserves award for fictional leader.
~ DP @FloydShivambu pic.twitter.com/Iezb63A14r
— ONE AFRICA 🌍 (@AfricaisBlack) July 19, 2024
“I want to propose that we should nominate Cyril Ramaphosa for Saftas for Best Fiction.
In his rebuttal, Ramaphosa 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.
“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.
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….
Cindy. Big zulu. Malema pic.twitter.com/nEGpyHpkgn
— Meshack Mathe Bevhula (@MeshackBevhula) July 22, 2024
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.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
