JZ's State of the Nation address is outdated
President Jacob Zuma is the most modern President of the republic of South Africa . However, his address has no trace of modernity.
His address is extremely shallow and does not inspire confidence into the future. It still puts far more emphasis on the past and the temporary urgent matters of the present and says nothing about the future.
The President's speech has emphasized the lack of respect the current government has to Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME). There is no mention of SMME's in the sate of the Nation address by Jacob Zuma.
It was his chance to address the abuse of SMME's by CIPRO, SARS and government in General. The rapid growth of the economy will be facilitated by SMME's. If well supported and respected by government SMME's can create sustainable employment. I'm honestly disappointed of his silent on this cornerstone of the economy.
In essence, the President's address lack a modern touch due to its continued tradition of focusing on the past and Present. This was understandable while Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki were Presidents, their main role was to unite the country and make SA economy robust.
Unfortunately Jacob Zuma has no luxury of copying and pasting the past presidents addresses. He needs to come with a new way of doing addresses.
Apart from the fact that, The president could not find it within himself to emphasis abstinence, faithfulness, use of a condom as great measures for prevention of HIV/Aids, there are more crucial things that he needed to address and he missed. He emphasized treatment and not prevention. This will impress TAC and other Mbeki haters, but I'm not impressed.
It makes me think that, the President is ashamed of his own inability to Condomise, be faithful and to abstain.
One of the things that the President could have introduced is a clear vision that would rally all South Africans behind. He could have gone beyond the "Developmental Sate" emphasis and came up with something clear and attractive that all South Africans would immediately grasp and move with.
A vision that goes beyond our current constitutions. A vision that goes beyond BBBEE, race and gender.
This does not mean that BBBEE and Gender programs must be stopped. It just means that, the end results of implanting it must be clearly vocalized.
If our Vision is to become the world's economic power, let that be and let all our programs be aimed at that. If we want to be the world's safest place let that be known. If we want to be the world's Moral center let that be.
Our vision will find us a place in the world. This is the language I expect from a modern President. Not a clone of the past Presidents. The President then needs to encourage all South Africans to work day and night to achieve this vision.
The sate of the Nation failed to articulate South Africa 's interaction with the World and Africa .
It failed to tell us how the country will generate income apart from taxes, it failed to touch on the issue of exports and what South Africa will do to maintain positive current account. The President cannot leave this to the minister of finance; it will take him just a sentence just to clarify that.
He talks a lot about spending our money whether it is grants or R846 billion public infrastructures spending, but does not tell us about plans to maintain steady revenue into the country apart from our taxes.
As a modern President, Jacob Zuma has got to up his talk. He can't only talk about how South Africans defeated apartheid, sorry, we have had enough of that from President Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. We have also had of rural development and many other things he mentions in his address. We need to hear success not rhetoric. Other wise tell us new things.
Jacob Zuma's address should outline what the government will do for the people, which were the main theme of the address, which is good. However, a modern President must go further and encourage South Africans to do something for their country and for themselves. It is now time for the government to start encouraging South Africans to be jealous about the country and build it.
The address has correctly touched on the successes of the Government and key politicians. It however fails to talk about the contribution of South Africans in the arts, business and other sectors in their contribution in building the country.
I truly believe that, the President could have done better.
Regards,
Sefu Sekgala
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Comments
What is oudated about planning and monitoring?What is outdated about the promise to hold civil servants accountable for their actions? What is oudated about the commitment to fight corruption? What ia oudated about reviewing government owned enities? What . .more
by ZAPATA on February 15 2010, 09:22
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Why is this Moron still a President
by Citizen on February 15 2010, 13:22
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Zapata, do you really believe Zuma? Only today the main newscast stated quite clearly that Ministers are not held accountable to anyone for what their subordinates do, or fail to do! Why, in the face of clear evidence of massive corruptuion, have none of . .more
by Dr. Angelo Lambiris on February 15 2010, 13:48
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I think the president was sabotaged by presidential hopefuls.
by TOM on February 15 2010, 14:25
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Well DR. I have no reason not to believe the President.The statement is made to the nation and it is the nation that will decide the fate of the President and his party.It would be wrong to simply ignore the hard facts before us which indicate, at least . .more
by ZAPATA on February 15 2010, 15:11
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Zapata is a blind loyalist.
Zuma is lovey Dovey kind of a person. He even charmed Hellen Zille, that takes skill.
The reality is, when coming to taking action or implementation Jacob Zuma and company dont know where to . .more
by I Get It on February 15 2010, 16:17
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