How to boost South Africa’s economic growth and reduce its unemployment rate are just two of the issues opposition parties are hoping to hear President Thabo Mbeki pronounce on in his State of the Nation address on Friday.
They would also like the president to spell out some clear plans for tackling the country’s Aids pandemic, eradicating poverty, improving social service delivery and dealing with its crisis-ridden northern neighbour, Zimbabwe.
Wishing Mbeki well for his address, Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon said among the main challenges facing the president is a need to ”reverse the tide of unemployment”.
The government needs to make the achievement of a 6% growth rate the number-one priority of its economic policy.
”Business regulations should be reviewed, and urgent steps taken to assist the textile industry and agriculture.”
Further, major changes needed to be made to black economic empowerment policies, which have so far ”succeeded only in helping an elite few at the expense of the poor many”.
Aids remains a huge challenge, with at least 1,5-million South Africans having died of the disease, and infection rates continuing to rise.
”The Minister of Health [Manto Tshabalala-Msimang] should be required to make quarterly reports to Parliament about her department’s progress in the prevention and treatment of HIV/Aids.”
Leon said this is the year in which local government in South Africa will have to face the voters.
”Yet local government is breaking down … throughout South Africa,” he said.
Because a lack of skilled administrators is a major challenge, Mbeki should declare a moratorium on employment-equity hiring in the public service.
”New appointments and promotions should henceforth be based on merit alone,” Leon said.
Mbeki should ‘crack the whip’
Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille said on Thursday she would like to see Mbeki ”cracking the whip more” when it comes to holding his ministers accountable.
He should also spell out a clear plan for the roll-out of anti-retrovirals for Aids patients.
”Government is way behind target on the roll-out. I expect him to come with a very clear plan.”
De Lille called for a ”bit more intervention” by the government on poverty eradication and job creation.
On foreign policy, she praised Mbeki’s efforts in Africa.
”He has done well in terms of peace missions on the continent.”
However, a ”special effort” is required in terms of Zimbabwe, and especially so if next month’s elections are to be free and fair.
”He should not wait until after the elections … and should put the issue of Zimbabwe as one of the priorities,” she said.
Both the Inkatha Freedom Party and Freedom Front Plus were not immediately available to provide their expectations.
Review of achievements
In his address on Friday, Mbeki is first expected to review achievements to date, at the end of the first decade of democracy.
It is also anticipated he will look forward over the next 10 years, laying down targets and due dates he expects his ministers to achieve.
It is believed he will lay particularly strong emphasis on delivery of social services and poverty eradication, as well as outline firm measures to stimulate the development of small business.
The theme of this year’s opening is Parliament: The Voice of the People — Realising a Better Life for All.
As in previous years, there will be a civil and junior guard of honour lined up within the parliamentary complex to welcome the president, deputy president, provincial premiers, MPs and VIPs, who are expected to start arriving from about 8am onwards.
Among the VIP guests are former presidents Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Mbeki is set to deliver his address to a joint sitting of Parliament in the National Assembly at 11am.
This will be preceded by a 21-gun salute, and a fly-past by the South African Air Force.
A traditional praise singer will welcome the president into the Chamber.
Cultural events around the opening include a Cape Flats jazz band and drummers, who will perform on a stage set up outside the National Council of Provinces building.
As dignitaries move along the red carpet up Parliament Street, so-called ”dramatic presentations” will be made from balconies and steps of the Marks Building.
According to the official programme, these will ”represent the people’s voices, a very important aspect of the theme”. — Sapa