The Economic Freedom Fighters have vowed to disrupt Ramaphosa’s speech once more, as South Africans expect an end to the energy crisis as the cost of living continues to rise, reports SABC News.

No plans to address challenges

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) chief whip Narend Singh says there are great expectations from citizens who want an end to the energy crisis. 

Challenges facing the country include persistent load-shedding, crumbling infrastructure, a high unemployment rate and rising inflation.

Singh says after nearly three decades of the ANC government in power, it’s clear that the party does not have plans or solutions to address these challenges.

‘Concrete plans to address energy crisis’

Democratic Alliance MP Kevin Mileham says President Ramaphosa needs to put concrete plans in place to address the energy and electricity crises in South Africa.

"The energy and electricity crises in SA is the number one priority for our country, both for our economy and for the wellbeing of our citizens. We have the highest unemployment rate in the world and it can be directly attributed to 15 years of load-shedding. So we need to prioritise addressing the electricity and energy crises. And the president needs to say, "This is what we are going to do, this is when we are going to do it, and this is how we are going to do it."

‘Step down’

Meanwhile, African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyolwethu Zungula says Ramaphosa should step down as the country’s president instead of reshuffling his cabinet.

Zungula says Ramaphosa is leading a ruling party that has failed South Africans.

"He should be the one resigning, he’s the one leading a sinking ship, and clearly, if you look at the state of the country, he’s been performing dismally since 2018. So if there’s any resignation that the nation would really appreciate it is the resignation of Ramaphosa."

Phala Phala matter

General secretary of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) Apa Pooe, says President Ramaphosa should not be allowed to deliver his address because he has a case to answer regarding the theft on his Phala Phala farm.

"It cannot be that we are having a state president who has a cloud hanging over his head, a state president who has an allegation of having committed a criminal offense, deliver the State of the Nation Address."

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