The African National Congress (ANC) parliamentary caucus was full of praise on Friday for President Thabo Mbeki’s State of the Nation address.
The speech reaffirmed the ANC’s conviction that South Africa is on the correct path towards ”the creation of a strong economy, more employment opportunities, enhanced crime-fighting mechanisms, social security expansion, and better health and education”, it said in a statement.
Further, it was an indication ”of an encouraging and bright trajectory of South Africa’s socio-economic landscape”.
Opposition parties have expressed optimism about the future of the Scorpions detective unit following Mbeki’s address.
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa welcomed the president’s remark that the Khampepe judicial commission’s proposals will be taken into account when the future of the Scorpions is being considered. ”There is relief in the sense that we may not have to follow what the ANC leadership had said about the Scorpions.”
Even though Mbeki did not give much of detail on the Scorpions, it was encouraging that he did not reiterate the ANC’s call for the Scorpions to disband, said Holomisa.
Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi was of the view that Mbeki had said everything he was expected to say.
”I was impressed by the fact that — even though he did not give enough details — he indirectly mentioned the issue of the Scorpions,” Buthelezi said. ”In my view it was one of the best speeches he had ever made.”
Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder said he was happy that Mbeki had touched on the issue of the Scorpions, but added that he had expected more.
In his speech, Mbeki said the future of the Scorpions will be known by the end of next month.
”Informed by the imperative to intensify the offensive against organised crime, as well as the recommendations of the Khampepe judicial commission on the functioning and location of the Directorate of Special Operations [Scorpions] and continuing reflections on this matter, we shall by the end of March this year interact with Parliament on legislation and other decisive measures required further to enhance our capacity to fight organised crime,” he said.
All is quiet
Meanwhile, Mbeki’s praises were sung in somewhat muted tones in the National Assembly ahead of his appearance in the House to deliver the State of the Nation address.
A hitch in the sound system rendered the president’s traditional imbongi, or praise-singer, barely audible over the hubbub of MPs, with most unaware of the black-and-white-robed figure’s efforts to sing their president’s praises. Many remained in conversation with colleagues and bench mates during the imbongi‘s performance.
Earlier, the House rose for a soundless national anthem. Called to their feet for the occasion, all in the Assembly, including parliamentarians, guests, diplomats and dignitaries, rose and awaited a cue.
On the television monitors on the walls of the Chamber could be seen the figure of Mbeki standing on a platform outside the building, hand to his heart, while a military band played Nkosi Sikelel’ Afrika. Inside, all was silence.
”What’s happening?” one diplomat in a bay adjacent to the press benches was heard to ask a colleague.
”Dunno — it’s supposed to be the national anthem, but there’s no sound! Maybe this is something new,” was the reply
In his address, Mbeki made a strong call for South Africans to start implementing energy-saving measures to help the country weather the electricity crisis.
He may now be wondering if some parliamentary official jumped the gun in response to his pronouncement: ”An instruction has been issued for all government buildings to reduce their consumption of electricity …” — Sapa