John Steenhuisen, leader of the Democratic Alliance party recently delivered an alternative State of the Nattion Address (Sona).
Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the official Sona on 08 February 2024 and the DA got ahead of him
DA leader slams ANC
John Steenhuisen expressed his opinions regarding the fall of the ANC and the potential future of the DA in South Africa. Steenhuisen begins his speech by addressing the upcoming SONA saying he will not talk about it as we know the president will only “deflect, distract and make empty promises that he cannot deliver on”.
Steenhuisen says the ANC “is literally falling apart” and that the Sona address tomorrow will likely be the party’s last. He adds that the DA led Multi-Party Charter is rallying people and parties around “shared values”. According to Steenhuisen, the coming election will be the first in which the support for the African National congress is expected to be below 50%.
DA outlines agenda to “rescue” South africa
Steenhuisen has also recently shared the DA’s plan to begin to “rescue” South Africa within the first 100 days of winning the elections. The agenda includes ending loadshedding, fixing parliament and outlawing cadre employment.
The DA’s agenda has a major focus on privatisation with the intention of creating an independent transmission system and market operator. Eskom currently operates as a monopoly as it controls all aspects of electricity distribution and generation (at 90% of the country’s electricity).According to Steenhuisen, this planned reform will be the most comprehensive since 1994.
DA led Multi-Party Charter targets corruption
Th DA led Multi-Party Charter aims to end the ANC’s “job killing” policies and practices. The party claims to be determined to do away with corruption and hold the ANC accountable for their part in the dismal state of the country.
Watch the DA’s address below as broadcast by SABC News:
SA unimpressed by John Steenhuisen’s take
Many South African’s have taken to twitter to express their opinions about Steenhuisen with many of them expressing concern regarding the DA party leader’s intellectual capacity.
@jackie5224 asks in response to the laid out agenda:
“What’s his highest school qualifications? What model or study did he use for this declaration?”
@usefulHaiki also joined the conversation:
“I am sure John Steenhuisen is personally shaving at least a percentage point off the DA’s votes. When you’re as small of a political party as the DA is, that matters.”.