In his response to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa called for national unity amidst recent criticism of South Africa’s expropriation and foreign policies from US President Donald Trump. Ramaphosa emphasized that the country must remain united, particularly in light of global challenges. He urged South Africans not to let external forces divide them and reiterated that the country’s solutions to its problems must come from within.
Ramaphosa made it clear that the government will not be swayed or bullied by anyone, both within the country and abroad, in its efforts to move forward. His comments came after Trump issued executive orders last Friday, cutting USAID funding to South Africa and offering white Afrikaners priority refugee status in the United States amid tensions over the country’s expropriation policy. In response, Ramaphosa stated that it was not the time for anyone to seek refuge in foreign countries, but rather a time to focus on finding solutions within South Africa.
He also addressed the concerns raised about the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a decision that has faced criticism. Ramaphosa clarified that the deployment was not made lightly and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to supporting peace efforts in the region. The deployment, he stressed, was part of the country’s broader efforts to bring peace to the region.
The President acknowledged the diverse perspectives presented during the debate, highlighting the importance of engaging across ideological, cultural, racial, and linguistic divides. He warned against isolating oneself within these divides, as such attitudes are detrimental to nation-building. Ramaphosa emphasized the need for South Africans to engage with each other and work together for the common good, a sentiment echoed by his insistence on the importance of national unity.
Touching on the country’s progress, Ramaphosa reminded the nation that achievements belong to the people of South Africa, not to any one individual. He referenced the contributions of Nelson Mandela, who always acknowledged the collective efforts of the people in the struggle for freedom, reminding all that even the great former president never claimed to have single-handedly liberated the country. Ramaphosa also took a subtle jab at the Democratic Alliance (DA) for claiming the credit for various government reforms, despite their political differences.
On the matter of land reform, Ramaphosa assured the nation that forced removals would not happen again, emphasizing that the Constitution protects citizens from arbitrary deprivation of property. He acknowledged that the transformation of South African society is an ongoing process, with much work still needed to heal the wounds of the past. Nonetheless, he reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that all citizens gain equitable access to land as part of the country’s broader transformation agenda.
In his closing remarks, Ramaphosa noted the importance of South Africans continuing to work together, regardless of their political affiliations, to build a more inclusive and equitable society for future generations.
