SONA EFF @KASIBCNEWS

 

SONA EFF @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rejects, with contempt, the directionless, inept, and incoherent State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by Cyril Ramaphosa. 

The SONA was nothing but a desperate attempt to mask the catastrophic failures of the neoliberal, right-wing so-called Government of National Unity (GNU). Since the formation of the GNU, this unholy alliance between the African National Congress (ANC) and the racist Democratic Alliance (DA) has delivered nothing but chaos, regression, and suffering for the people of South Africa, particularly workers and the poor. 

The GNU was supposedly established to stabilise the economy, promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and build a capable and ethical state—yet, in every measurable aspect, it has failed dismally. When opening the 7th Administration in July 2024, Ramaphosa boldly proclaimed that the GNU would place inclusive economic growth at the centre of its agenda. This was supposedly meant to drive job creation, empower black South Africans, and uplift the most vulnerable. 

However, South Africa’s economy remains in a dire state, with economic growth averaging below 1.5% annually and projected to grow by less than 2% over the next three years. Instead of implementing bold, state-led industrial policies, the GNU has left South Africa’s economy at the mercy of white-owned private businesses that prioritise profits over national development while the masses remain jobless and impoverished. 

The cost-of-living crisis has worsened, with inflation pushing working-class families to the brink of survival. Just last week, there was an approved 12.7% hike in electricity tariffs set to take effect in April and an increase in fuel prices by 75 cents per litre. 

The most urgent crisis facing this nation is unemployment, yet Ramaphosa failed to provide a concrete plan to address this national economic security threat. Unemployment continues to rise, particularly among black women and young people, who were promised in previous addresses that they would be a priority. The official unemployment rate stands at 32.1%, but this figure does not reflect the full extent of economic exclusion. 

A staggering 3.5 million (34%) of youth aged 15-24 are excluded from employment, education, or training. Black Africans face an unemployment rate of 36.1%, higher than the national average, with nearly 39% of black African women unable to find jobs. Even graduate unemployment has risen to 9.8%, proving that higher education is no longer a safeguard against economic hardship. Despite these dire circumstances, Ramaphosa continues to deceive the nation by claiming the Presidential Employment Stimulus has succeeded. This is a blatant lie. The program has completely failed, as evidenced by the continued high levels of joblessness, particularly among the youth. 

The GNU has no real plan to create jobs, and its so-called meaningful partnerships are nothing but empty rhetoric, as businesses continue to pull in different directions, hoarding their wealth in offshore accounts instead of investing in the South African economy. Furthermore, the GNU has adopted the so-called Medium-Term Development Plan without explaining what happened to the National Development Plan (NDP) or acknowledging the failure of what was essentially a misguided and impractical policy. 

This deliberate erasure of previous commitments is nothing more than an attempt to hide decades of neoliberal economic mismanagement under the ANC and DA. Ramaphosa is continuing the privatisation of energy, rather than rebuilding and solidifying Eskom for national energy security and sovereignty. 

The ongoing unbundling of Eskom will not solve the energy crisis but will instead place South Africa’s energy future in the hands of profit-driven corporations that will exploit the people for financial gain. The GNU is deliberately weakening Eskom so that the private sector can take over, despite the disastrous consequences this has had in other developing economies. 

The allocation of R940 billion for infrastructure development is woefully inadequate, given the extent of infrastructure collapse and backlog, particularly in water supply, roads, and healthcare facilities. 

The EFF demands that the government significantly increase infrastructure spending, prioritising maintenance, refurbishment, and rebuilding through state-owned companies to eliminate the need for tenders, inflated prices, and poor management of projects. 

The outsourcing of essential infrastructure projects to private contractors has led to rampant corruption, poor-quality service delivery, and wasted public funds. State-owned entities such as Eskom, Transnet, and others will not function effectively as Ramaphosa claims, because his administration is actively privatising everything instead of rebuilding state capacity to ensure South Africa is not dependent on the private sector for critical areas of economic growth and job creation. 

We do not need a Transformation Fund; we need state-owned initiatives that will facilitate the transfer of wealth to the majority of South Africans, starting with land redistribution. South Africa remains the most industrialised economy in Africa, yet this industrialisation was state led under apartheid, using state-owned entities that the GNU is now deliberately collapsing. 

The so-called structural reforms under Ramaphosa’s administration are nothing more than a continuation of failed neoliberal policies that have stripped the state of its capacity to drive development. Instead of protecting key industries, the GNU is creating avenues for private companies to infiltrate and eventually take over essential services, prioritising profits over public welfare. The National State Enterprises Bill, introduced by Minister Maropene Ramokgopa, is a clear attempt to facilitate full-scale privatisation under the deceptive guise of restructuring. 

This Bill proposes centralising all state assets under a State Asset Management SOC (SAMSOC), which will dictate the operations of SOEs under a centrally approved plan. This model does not strengthen SOEs; it strips them of their autonomy and opens the floodgates for private sector interference. The failure of municipalities under the GNU is another clear indication that this government is incapable of governance. 

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), which oversees the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), has failed dismally to address service delivery failures. Municipalities are plagued by corruption, mismanagement, and a lack of capacity. Instead of developing internal municipal capacity, billions are wasted on consultants, with R1.3 billion spent on financial statement preparation alone and R24 billion recorded in irregular expenditure. This reckless misuse of public funds is further proof that the GNU has no interest in genuine service delivery. 

Furthermore, the DA’s municipalities in Cape Town are mired in tender corruption and state capture, with fraudulent housing tenders implicating Mayoral Committee Members, including JP Smith. Fraud charges against former DA official Malusi Booi further expose the DA’s deep-rooted looting of public resources. The DA has facilitated corruption exceeding R1 billion in the housing and construction sectors, worsening Cape Town’s housing crisis and leaving thousands without homes. 

The EFF will not stand idle while the ANC and DA destroy the gains of our democratic revolution. We demand an end to the privatisation agenda, the immediate strengthening of SOEs, and a clear plan for economic transformation that prioritises black empowerment, job creation, and service delivery. We call on all South Africans to reject this corrupt, visionless, and incompetent coalition. 

ETHNIC MOBILIZATION @KASIBCNEWS

Dangerous divisions: Foundation rejects Vhavenda ‘Superiority’ claims …Dangerous echoes: Why ethnic superiority claims resemble Orania’s ideology 

The Tshenuwani Farisani Foundation has strongly condemned remarks made by former Statistician General Pali Lehohla, who recently stated in a podcast that the Vhavenda people are a “superior nation” in South Africa. The foundation has distanced itself from these comments, warning that such classifications are divisive and dangerous to a nation still grappling with the wounds of apartheid and white supremacy. 

In a statement, the foundation described Lehohla’s remarks as “inflammatory” and likened them to the rhetoric of right-wing groups advocating for racial segregation. “This type of innuendo is not different from the call by right-wingers to create a white-only province of Orania,” said Dr. Tshenuwani Farisani, the foundation’s patron. The foundation emphasised that the Vhavenda people, like all South African ethnic groups, are part of a diverse and equal society and have never made claims of superiority.  “We are convinced that he never spoke to any Muvenda person who claimed such superiority. So we will accept that all these claims are his, and his only, which do not represent any sane Muvenda person,” the statement read. Experts and civil society leaders have echoed these concerns, warning that ethnic superiority narratives have historically led to devastating consequences. Political analyst Professor Tinyiko Maluleke pointed to Africa’s turbulent history as a cautionary example. “We have seen how divisive ethnic classifications have fueled conflicts. 

The Hutu-Tutsi genocide in Rwanda and the recent instability in the Great Lakes region serve as painful reminders of what can happen when ethnic groups are pitted against each other,” Maluleke noted. 

The foundation also referenced South Africa’s own history of violence sparked by ethnic divisions. “The wars between Russian-speaking Ukrainians and main Russia are a perfect example of reckless categorisation. In the recent past, about 45 schools were burnt in Vuwani because of reckless undertones such as these - something that we can’t even explain to our children today.” Prominent historian and social commentator Dr. Somadoda Fikeni warned that South Africa must guard against the resurgence of divisive narratives.  “Statements that elevate one ethnic group above another create an 'us versus them' mentality, which is deeply harmful. Our Constitution and democracy were built on the values of unity, nonracialism, and equality. We cannot afford to go backwards,” Fikeni stated. 

The Tshenuwani Farisani Foundation has called on political leaders, civil society organizations, and the public to reject and condemn such statements. “The ANC and other political formations, organs of civil society, and the people of South Africa must stand against this type of divisive rhetoric,” the foundation urged. 

As South Africa continues to work towards unity and social cohesion, voices from all sectors are reinforcing the need to reject any form of ethnic superiority. The foundation’s message is clear: reckless statements that fuel division must be challenged to preserve the hard-earned peace and unity of the nation. 

GAUTENG EDUCATION NEW CLASSROOMS @KASIBCNEWS 

The rapid growth in demand for education infrastructure due to socioeconomic migration is receiving serious attention from Gauteng Provincial Government. In its latest update the Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) has reported on the construction project pipeline of new schools and classrooms and the rehabilitation and refurbishment of existing education facilities to help reduce the backlog. 

The MEC for Infrastructure Development and COGTA Mr. Jacob Mamabolo has announced that a total 367 classrooms will be made available to a combined 12 478 learners in Gauteng this year. This consists of 309 newly built classrooms catering for 10 506 learners and a further 58 rehabilitated and refurbished existing classrooms to accommodate 1 972 other learners. 

The MEC Mamabolo said the aim of government is to improve lives through quality infrastructure. The Rehabilitation and Refurbishment (R&R) programme is currently focused on renovations and upgrading of classrooms. The programme is assisting the province to eradicate schools constructed from inappropriate materials such as asbestos, reduce the number of mobile classrooms and finally address over-crowding through additional classes.  

Furthermore, through refurbishment of existing classrooms, the programme has played a major role in significantly improving the learning conditions, eradicating inequality and restoring the dignity and pride of thousands of leaners in many township schools across the province.  

“The programme is transforming the old school infrastructure in the province and promotes equality through extensive construction work which gives schools a new lease of life,” commented MEC Mamabolo. 

The delivery of the much-needed classrooms is being implemented on behalf of the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE). The 2021 Statistics South Africa report on migration indicates that about 479 400 people moved to Gauteng between 2016 and 2021.  The Gauteng project pipeline entails completing the construction of 216 new classrooms through new school buildings plus 93 classrooms at existing schools. 

The project includes the new Simunye Secondary School in Rand West Municipality, the upgraded Ribane Laka Secondary School in Mamelodi, Semphato Secondary School in Soshanguve, new Braamfischerville Primary School in Soweto, Dr, W.K Du Plessis School for Learners with Special Educational Needs in Spring and the rehabilitation of Athlone Girls High School in Honeydew, among others.  

The Department of Infrastructure Development is also focusing on completing the construction of Nancefield Primary School, Eldorado Park, and Rus-ter-vaal Secondary School, in Sedibeng. New completion contractors have been appointed following the termination of the initial contractors. The department reaffirms its commitment to timely and prudent implementation of infrastructure projects in service of community needs. 

SONA IFP EDITION @KASIBCNEWS

The Inkatha Freedom Party expects President Cyril Ramaphosa to provide a comprehensive outline of the government's plans to address the country's pressing challenges when he delivers the State of the Nation Address tomorrow.

We expect the President to delve into the Medium Term Development Plan as the agreed upon minimum programme of the GNU, providing tangible solutions to the socio-economic issues confronting our nation.

Specifically, we expect him to elaborate on the three pillars of the MTDP he emphasised at the Opening of Parliament Address last year, which are, inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state. 

We expect the President to outline the concrete GNU plans for stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and promoting entrepreneurship, particularly among youth and women.

Reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living must preoccupy the Presidents attention and therefore he must announce measures to alleviate poverty, address income inequality, and mitigate the effects of the high cost of living on vulnerable households.

We expect the President to provide a roadmap for strengthening institutions, combating corruption, and promoting good governance.

Furthermore, we expect the President will take a strong stance in support of Ithala Bank, a vital institution that has empowered black-owned businesses and communities for decades. The IFP has consistently advocated for the bank's preservation and transformation into a fully-fledged state bank.

As the IFP, we reiterate our commitment to remaining in the Government of National Unity, recognising its importance in promoting stability and cooperation post-elections. We are committed to maintaining our identity as the IFP and upholding our manifesto promises, working tirelessly to ensure that the government prioritises the needs of all South Africans.

We urge the President to provide a clear roadmap for implementing these pillars, including concrete timelines, deliverables, and accountability mechanisms. The IFP believes that a united and effective government is essential in addressing the country's challenges and unlocking its potential.

As we move forward, we emphasise the need for collaborative governance, where all parties work together to find solutions to our common problems. The IFP remains committed to playing a constructive role in this process, ensuring that the voices of our people are heard and their concerns addressed.

SONA RISE MZANSI EDITION @KASIBCNEWS

The first State of the Nation Address (SONA) under the Government of National Unity (GNU) needs to send a clear message to the people of South Africa, and the investment community, that it there is a clear set of priorities and plans for implementation.

These priorities must cover all spheres of government and remain consistent until 2029. President Cyril Ramaphosa needs to show that he is in charge and can practice leadership that gets government working in coordination and as a focused unit with the people of South Africa.

South Africa has long passed the point of lofty speeches.  South Africans are besieged by organised and violent crime; small businesses struggle to survive; communities are without quality basic services; millions go to bed hungry; and the climate crisis threatens established ways of farming and living.

RISE Mzansi therefore calls on the President, in his SONA, to clearly outline and commitment to these four broad, but all-encompassing, priority areas, especially, in light of Cabinet’s recently adopted Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024 -2029:

President Ramaphosa must assert his powers as an Executive President and put Ministers and senior public servants on a performance and delivery short leash. He must fire them if they do not perform or do not meet the ethical standards expected of senior office bearers. Such performance plans need to made public, so that officials and public representatives and their work are indeed transparently accountable to the people.

South Africans are looking for a set of uniting values and principles that cut across race, class, culture and religion. South Africa needs visionary, competent and accountable leadership with a sense of national mission, and respect for the dreams and wishes of the South African people; a reorientation of non-racialism to focus on systemic racism such as spatial injustice, poorly resourced communities, lack of basic community infrastructure, and poor access to economic opportunities.

The passing of the Expropriation Act has brought into sharp focus the nefarious efforts of some South Africans and foreign governments to undermine peaceful race relations, nation-building and the sovereignty of the country. The President must affirm and amplify the voices of the majority of South Africans who want “unity in diversity”, with a future-looking and non-racial lens, while correcting for the wrongs of colonialism and apartheid. Political parties and groupings which seek to diminish nation-building efforts at uniting South Africans, using fear and deceit, must be seen as and felt to be a minority.

The South African economy – business and government working together – needs to work towards growing the economy at more than 5% per year to defeat unemployment and poverty. This means significant investment in critical infrastructure (water, sanitation, energy, logistics and network infrastructure); mitigation plans for the climate crisis; and the success of small to medium sized businesses. These interventions need the buy-in of government and private sector role-players, particularly at national and local spheres of government.

To this end, RISE proposes a Wealth Tax to fund key development programs. The country’s current fiscal trajectory is unsustainable – and the public investments needed to kickstart the economy will not occur under conditions of effective austerity. The President should back such an initiative but with implementation plans to be announced by the Finance Minister in the Budget Speech later this month.

Cabinet must set targets for eliminating financial wastage, renegotiate expensive government contracts to achieve value for money, improve financial and procurement controls in all state entities and remove, and prosecute corrupt officials and political office bearers. Until South Africans see corrupt officials and politicians behind bars, there will be little faith in and respect for the criminal justice system.

 

Serious attention must be paid to violent and organised crime. Therefore, the government must:

 

· Allocate more resources to intelligence gathering and detective services to achieve a higher case finalisation rate

· Work to halve the murder rate over the next 5-years

· Prioritise ascendant crimes such as kidnapping, extortion and illegal immigration

· Strengthen community-level cooperation and crime prevention including better resource allocation to police stations and community policing forums (CPFs) in high-crime areas.

In addition to the above, President Ramaphosa needs to send a strong message about the future of the nation’s armed forces, generally, and the mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as it relates to underfunding, corruption and mismanagement. 

RISE Mzansi once again calls for a Defence Review, which considers the current economic climate, the effectiveness of the current South African Defence Force (SANDF) leadership and management, our involvement in foreign missions and the Force’s aging personnel, to name a few issues.

The people of South Africa are looking for a leader and leadership, not just from the President but equally their public representatives, in the form of Members of Parliament. The occasion of SONA and the years ahead need to be marked by seriousness, transparency and a sense that the issues facing South Africans matter and are receiving necessary attention.

Ultimately, South Africans are looking for a leadership that will guarantee them a safe, prosperous, equal and united country, where they live in dignity and happily.

STATE CAPTURE ELON MUSK AND PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA @KASIBCNEWS

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is dismayed by the decision of South African President Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa to break diplomatic protocols by calling an unelected government official, Mr. Elon Musk to explain himself about the Expropriation Act that he has recently signed into law.  This breaking of diplomatic protocol should never be taken lightly by the citizens, as it is a clear indication of how the sovereignty of our country is compromised at the behest of pandering for U.S foreign aid; and a reflection of how Ramaphosa is willing to embarrass the country to the world as a result of a dependency syndrome. 

The irony about this is that few days ago, the government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya was scolding the Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe for failing to follow diplomatic protocols in addressing a similar issue, when Mantashe threatened to cut the supply of minerals to the U.S should they cut their aid to South Africa. It is an objective fact that Elon Musk’s interference with U.S foreign policy as it relates to South Africa is rooted not only in his racist and white supremacist attitudes but is also based on his interests as a businessman to introduce his satellite company Starlink in South Africa. 

Musk is in a pursuit to introduce Starlink in South Africa and in doing so, seeks to circumvent existing legislation that prescribes that for licensing to be granted by the Independent Communications South African Authority (ICASA) to operate in South Africa’s satellite sector, at least 30% of the foreign owned satellite company must be owned by historically disadvantaged groups in line with the country’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policy. For Musk to use his proximity to U.S President Donald Trump to characterise the laws of South Africa which seek to correct historical injustices as “racist”, is nothing but a misuse of his relationship with Trump in order to facilitate a business transaction. 

Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to Musk will only embolden him in his agenda to undermine our sovereignty and our laws, in order to gain access to the South African market for Starlink. President Ramaphosa has effectively reduced the power that he holds as the President of the country and inevitably opened the Presidency up to be bought, controlled, and manipulated by big corporations of not only the United States of America but the whole world. 

It should be noted that Elon Musk is not an elected government official of the U.S, he is merely a businessman who was funding the campaign of the current U.S President Mr Donald Trump and as a result was gifted with a newly created position referred to as the “government efficiency department”, and is a glorified employee. This unprecedented conduct by a sitting President to break the diplomatic protocols by telephonically lobbying an unelected billionaire who is hellbent on influencing the policies of our government has the potential to open the door for state capture. 

To this day, the country is still reeling from the capture by the Gupta family under former President Jacob Zuma. Lastly, the EFF calls on Ramaphosa to refrain from relying on foreign businesses from the West and wealthy individuals in determining policy direction of the country. 

Ramaphosa should have known that such calls to private individuals would undermine diplomatic protocols and the sovereignty of our country. 

SANDF SOLDIERS GUNNED DOWN IN DRC @KASIBCNEWS

SANDF SOLDIERS GUNNED DOWN IN DRC @KASIBCNEWS  

Today’s Joint Portfolio Committee meeting on Defence was a crucial moment for the government to be held accountable for the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where our troops are once again caught in the crossfire of a foreign conflict.

The meeting saw MPs from the DA push the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, and the chiefs of the defence force for clarity on key questions.

The DA’s MPs demanded to know where the advice for the SANDF deployment came from, who gave that advice, and what oversight measures were in place to ensure the safety and readiness of our troops. Additionally, they asked where the counterintelligence operations were, given the precise coordination and mortar fire of M23 rebels—indicating that the attack was meticulously planned over a number of weeks. Instead of providing the answers South Africans deserve, the Minister and President continue to stonewall and delay accountability. This lack of transparency has only fuelled the growing fears of the public and the families of our soldiers.

The situation in the DRC continues to deteriorate. New reports of South African soldiers being captured by M23 rebels, along with the tragic deaths and injuries of more South African troops, underline the dire state of this operation. The M23 group now controls critical airspace and has encircled SANDF operation bases in Goma. Evacuation efforts have thus become even more perilous.

The DA has repeatedly called for the immediate withdrawal of our troops from the DRC, and we will continue to do so. Our soldiers are being sent into an unwinnable situation with inadequate support, and the people of South Africa deserve answers. More than that, they deserve action. Legacy reports from 2015 up to 2024 explicitly detail that the SANDF is in no position to undertake any peace or offensive mission, given its dire state of affairs.

We also note the lack of meaningful action on the part of the Minister of Defence. At this point, it is crystal clear that neither the President nor the Minister is capable of providing the leadership our troops need and deserve. In fact, the DA is also calling for Minister Motshekga to be fired. She has completely failed to account to this committee, remaining evasive, grandstanding, and arrogantly dismissing the concerns of MPs and the public alike.

Minister Motshekga, in her attempts to spin herself out of accountability, exposed her lack of understanding of the situation facing the SANDF soldiers trapped in the eastern DRC. By claiming that our soldiers have received enough firepower to defend themselves, despite contradictory reports on the number of deceased and wounded, she either misleads the public or reflects the poor advice given to her by her advising generals. Furthermore, her attempt to describe the SANDF deployment as a peacekeeping mission is a deliberate attempt to pacify the nation, as the orders for the SAMIDRC forces are clear—to support the FARDC in neutralising “illegal armed and negative forces,” including hunting down, killing, and disarming them. This is far from a peacekeeping effort.

The Minister also failed to respond to critical questions regarding the situation on the ground. She did not address concerns about our soldiers being surrounded by M23 rebels and having their movements controlled, nor did she respond to questions about whether there is any viable land or air logistical access to our forces.

The DA strongly reiterates our call for the immediate withdrawal of South African troops from the DRC. The families of those who have already made the ultimate sacrifice deserve closure, and our remaining soldiers need to be brought home before more lives are lost in a conflict that does not serve South Africa’s interests.