Brian Mhlanga | Lecturer | Leadership Development Partitioner| DEI Facilitator | Omanga Consulting | mail me |
With the state of the nation having taken place earlier this month, I find myself rolling my eyes continuously. The ridiculousness of Ramaphosa’s broken promises is hard to believe. I can’t believe our country has come to this.
Ramaphosa’s broken promises – a nation in limbo
The man in charge of South Africa is the most insufferable story seller in recent times. He seems to say all the right things, yet has nothing to back it up. I am sick of it. I am beginning to think that he doesn’t live in the same South Africa that we all do.
The audacity to spew three-to-five-year plans to us is mind-boggling. Our people are hungry now. Our people need jobs now, not government-funded ‘nice ideas.’
Building infrastructure when people don’t have roofs over their heads is simply unacceptable. School children are still being taught in debilitated classrooms. Moreover, they are also subjected to using pit toilets. Yet, a bridge is considered a priority. It’s honestly outrageous.
South Africa’s unfulfilled future
The number of billions being announced for future projects is laughable. African National Congress (ANC) departments complain about not having enough funds to support the impoverished.
Basic human needs, like electricity, are not being met. Yet, somehow, R375 billion is allocated to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) for construction projects. This includes roads, bridges, dams, waterways and ports. Give me a break. We all know that those funds will be squandered. The corruption will soar once again.
The most infuriating part of his speech was the introduction of Digital ID systems. He claimed these systems would “transform the relationship between citizens and government.” They would create one government accessible to everyone with a touch.
But do the majority of South Africans even have access to online platforms? Let alone the technology to benefit from it? How about fixing the internal structures first? Combat corruption and ensure the systems run as they should.
Then, maybe, pour money into a rotten structure.
Let us clap our hands in thanks as the Social Relief of Distress Fund (SRD) will increase by R20. And, in what world is that enough to support any human being? How is he proud of that announcement?
His people can barely afford food. Yet, R20 extra is considered enough. It’s honestly ludicrous.
Empty plans and unmet needs
Looking at the R100 billion going towards supporting small black businesses is infuriating. We can assume that it isn’t going to those who need it. Instead, it is likely going to government officials and their families’ pockets. This makes my blood boil.
He should have learned from the disaster of the COVID-19 fund set up for small black businesses. And, to my knowledge, it didn’t go anywhere, and neither will this effort. Greedy officials are waiting for their turn to enrich themselves.
No wonder America thinks it can bully us. At this point, South Africa has become the laughingstock of the African continent. Countries like Burkina Faso and Ghana are being led by people who know the value of their own.
It’s a shame because I believe that we could have been the example that Africa needed to follow. Instead, we are run by a clueless, speech-reading billionaire. He just doesn’t get it.
