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President Cyril Ramaphosa's opening of Parliament address has been met with praise and criticism from political parties represented in Parliament.

On Thursday, Ramaphosa officially opened the Parliament of the seventh democratic administration.

After the 2024 national and provincial elections, which saw the African National Congress (ANC) lose its outright majority for the first time since 1994, the ANC formed the Government of National Unity (GNU) with opposition parties represented in Parliament.

Eleven parties have signed the GNU Statement of Intent.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said the alignment with DA policy in the list of priority areas announced by Ramaphosa in his speech, was a clear indication that the party's call for a programme based on rapid economic growth and job creation had been heeded.

"We welcome with open arms the acknowledgement that growing the economy is the starting point to fix so many social ills and create a just and equal society. Cutting red tape of public-private partnerships (PPPs) is also something the DA put into practice where we govern and called for at a provincial and national level," he said.

He pointed out that the DA headed up critical portfolios that would carry out an infrastructure-led development plan that will "make South Africa a construction site", address food security, improve education and create a streamlined and efficient Home Affairs.

The party also welcomed the review of the VAT-free basket of food and a commitment by the President to review the fuel price structure.

However, the party emphasised that unless there was swift implementation and zero deviation from the reform agenda and pledges, the expectations of many citizens would remain little more than that.

Steenhuisen said his party wanted to see increased private-sector involvement in the turnaround strategy of State-owned enterprises, particularly those that pertain to service delivery.

Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi said his party would support Ramaphosa's intervention on economic growth and job creation.

"As RISE Mzansi, we will work with the President and the executive to ensure that every word and every rand and cent spent over the next five years is accounted for. Our work is to ensure that this government works for the people," he said.

CAUTIOUS ENDORSEMENT

ActionSA Parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said his party's response to Ramaphosa's opening address was a blend of cautious endorsement and pointed criticism.

"While we acknowledge the alignment of many new government policies with ActionSA's manifesto, we remain wary of the government's ability and willingness to implement these policies effectively. Vigilant oversight and genuine action are necessary to transform promises into reality," said Trollip.

The party also highlighted a significant shift in government's approach in Thursday's opening of Parliament address, compared with February's State of Nation Address.

ActionSA applauded government's nod towards sustainability at the local level, but believes that clarity on how exactly it planned to support this transition should be made available.

The emphasis on inclusive economic growth and empowerment was commendable, it said, as it aligned closely with ActionSA's goals.

"The intention to release State land, provide post-settlement support, and foster rural development is a positive step towards job creation in rural areas. However, there is thin credibility to this claim," Trollip highlighted.

He said the promotion of PPPs was another point of contention, noting that while recognising their potential, it must be remembered that government had historically failed to deliver on such initiatives.

"Therefore, as ActionSA we pledge to monitor the implementation of these partnerships closely, ensuring they lead to tangible benefits rather than remaining empty promises," he explained.

Trollip said ActionSA's critique extended to the omission of critical issues, such as South Africa's i...

South Africa must fix a dysfunctional work permit system or sacrifice economic growth, the country's new Home Affairs minister said, pledging to resolve a crisis that employers say limits investment.

A byzantine application process that can extend beyond a year has contributed to a backlog of hundreds of thousands of applications, while miring his department in lawsuits from people demanding rulings on their submissions.

That's been accompanied by a national debate where foreigners are routinely accused of stealing South African jobs, in a country with an unemployment rate of more than 30%. That's despite the Treasury saying a dearth of skills is the second-biggest threat to the economy after power cuts, and skilled workers create jobs for those less qualified.

A German-South African business association, which represents companies including Volkswagen AG, has said the chaos threatens operations that support 100 000 jobs.

Won't Grow

"This country's economy will never grow if we don't open our doors to people who want to lawfully come here and make a contribution and help us get on track," said Leon Schreiber, appointed as minister last month in a coalition government dominated by his Democratic Alliance party and the bigger African National Congress.

"It is one of the jobs of political leadership to go out and actually make these kind of arguments to say this is where the problem actually is," he said in an interview on Wednesday. "Don't scapegoat and include people who are trying to actually help us build the country."

One of the 35-year-old minister's priorities includes adopting a points system to allow skilled workers to take up employment based on their qualifications, job offers and income level.

Another is resolving confusion around a so-called nomad visa, which is designed to cater to remote workers who want to base themselves in South Africa. It became law earlier this year but has frustrated potential applicants because the requirements are unclear.

"The points based system is, I think, fundamental to overhauling the whole system because it'll do away with these different requirements for different categories," said Schreiber, who is the second-youngest member of the 34-member cabinet. "It will streamline that whole process."

He also said repairing "the hostile" relationship between Home Affairs and permit applicants is key to turning the department into "an economic enabler" focused on job creation.

"This is the only department that has the capability to, within a relatively short period, bring in the skills that companies need," he said.

Angry Tourists

In addition to the work permit problem, Schreiber said he will focus on complaints about getting tourist visas, with some visitors being deterred by the difficulties in securing permission to visit South Africa.

"There's huge markets in China and India that are sending a lot of complaints through about how those processes are conducted," he said.

To tackle the work permit problems the department is working with the help of resources from Business Unity South Africa, a grouping of the country's biggest businesses, and Deloitte, he said. He will meet with a unit of FirstRand for further assistance. Schreiber also plans to revive the country's Immigration Advisory Board.

Still, Schreiber touted some recent success.

Since April, the backlog of work permit, spousal visa and permanent residence applications has been cut by 30% to about 213 000, he said.

Home Affairs could "be central to addressing the skills shortage in South Africa," he said. "That is not a curse. It's a great opportunity."

Non-governmental organisation Defend our Democracy general secretary Kristen Abrahams stresses that by fostering inclusive dialogues, promoting transparency, and ensuring accountability, civil society can help create a political environment where the State is more attuned to the needs and aspirations of its citizens.

Abrahams was speaking during Defend our Democracy's webinar on civil society's role in the new political context, where she said civil society could act as a watchdog over the Government of National Unity (GNU), enhancing the effectiveness of constitutional accountability mechanisms.

She explained that civil society promotes transparency within coalition governments.

"…by advocating for open and accessible coalition deliberations, civil society can reduce public scepticism and improve government transparency," she said.

Abrahams was reflecting on the organisation's draft document on strengthening civil society in South Africa within the context of national and provincial coalition governments, which highlighted that the shift to a coalition government necessitated reassessing existing public participation mechanisms.

She noted that civil society must evaluate whether these mechanisms remained effective in the new political context or if new approaches were needed.

This re-evaluation, she said, presented an opportunity to innovate and expand public participation methods, also highlighting the need for civil society to often call for national dialogues to foster consensus among diverse political actors.

Civil society's role was not to become politicised but to provide a platform for citizen engagement and influence in the political process, she said.

"This renewed sense of participatory governance can strengthen the democratic fabric of South Africa, ensuring that government actions reflect the will and interests of its people," she highlighted.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation's Mandla Nkomfe noted that a national dialogue would allow citizens to engage with politics in the country, saying communities, voters and citizens had lost trust in political organisations, in political elites, in economic elites and in businesspeople.

He said dialogue would go a long way in establishing a unified programme that inspired hope against despair.

"This process will be a long one that will involve a range of stakeholders, from businesses, civil society organisations and community organisations, all across the nation," Nkomfe added.

Abrahams explained that creating new public participation mechanisms or enhancing existing ones could ensure that citizen voices were heard and considered in governmental decisions, fostering a more inclusive and responsive political environment.

Abrahams highlighted that the evolving political landscape enhanced the potential efficacy of civil society in shaping policy and governance, noting that civil society organisations could now influence State actions more effectively, provided they maintained their independence and continued to operate with transparency and accountability.

"This increased efficacy is vital for holding the government accountable and ensuring that coalition agreements are honoured. Civil society organisations can contribute to more informed and balanced policy-making processes by leveraging their expertise and strategic positioning."

The key challenge would be to avoid co-optation and maintain a critical, independent stance while engaging constructively with the government, it said.

Abrahams noted that there were some concerns regarding civil society organisations' involvement with the GNU, saying there were worries that cooperation with the government could compromise civil society's independence and ability to hold it accountable.

She said there were worries that supporting the GNU could be seen as elitist and invite criticism from populist forces, as well as debate about the best approach for civil society.

She highlighted that despite these concerns, this new form of governan...

South Africa's central bank kept its main interest rate unchanged at 8.25% in a decision announced on Thursday.

Eighteen of 20 economists polled by Reuters predicted there would be no change in the repo rate.

The decision by the central bank's Monetary Policy Committee was split, with four members preferring an unchanged stance and two preferring a 25-basis-point rate cut.

Monetary policy has remained tight in Africa's most industrialised economy as the South African Reserve Bank tries to steer inflation back towards the midpoint of its 3%-6% target range.

Consumer inflation stood at 5.2% year on year in May, the latest month for which data is available, the same as in April.

"Domestically, inflation expectations do not yet reflect the 4.5% midpoint objective over the medium term," central bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said in a statement accompanying the decision.

Economists polled by Reuters before Thursday's announcement predicted a 25-basis-point cut in September followed by another in November.

ActionSA on Wednesday urged Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube to ensure that her petition to President Cyril Ramaphosa makes clear that the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, in its current form, will not make the necessary inroads to improve the "dysfunction" within the country's education system.

Gwarube on Tuesday announced her intention to request Ramaphosa to halt signing the "flawed" BELA Bill and refer it back to Parliament, noting that the Bill should be revised to avoid hindering pupils' futures with outdated legislation.

ActionSA said now that it is represented in Parliament, it will fight to ensure that the Bill, if referred back to Parliament, reflects the "substantive" contributions and necessary amendments, including those proposed by civil society, to address the real deficiencies that have led to the decline of the country's education system.

The BELA Bill was passed in the National Assembly on May 17 and is waiting for Ramaphosa to sign it into law.

The Bill was subject to much public opposition owing to its removal of powers from parents and giving some powers to the State.

ActionSA parliamentary caucus chief whip Lerato Ngobeni said her party had long argued that the Bill, marred by widespread objection, was "fundamentally flawed".

She said the Bill attempted to "camouflage" the structural deficiencies of South Africa's education system, resulting from decades of "systemic mismanagement", and failed to address the existing challenges in the education system.

One of the key changes that the BELA Bill seeks to introduce is the strengthening of the Department of Education's oversight over language and admission policies that school governing bodies are mandated to develop.

"The ill-thought-out introduction of compulsory grade R, and the outdated use of the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment which does not adequately estimate the fiscal and economic impact of implementing the Bill, are some of the reasons why this Bill must urgently be sent back to Parliament for revision," said Ngobeni.

She highlighted that Gwarube's communicated intention came as a relief following the "stubborn" posture taken by the African National Congress (ANC) in the sixth administration.

She noted that the ANC was "hell-bent" on pushing through the legislation which, she said would only serve to compound the challenges by introducing a series of proposals that "lack coherence" and "fail to align with the actual needs and realities of the education landscape".

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said his party expects President Cyril Ramaphosa to outline South Africa's reform agenda, which he stated is aligned with DA policy, in terms of unlocking investment and economic growth and building a capable State.

Steenhuisen was speaking in Cape Town on Wednesday where he outlined the party's expectations for Ramaphosa's opening of Parliament address on Thursday.

Steenhuisen expressed satisfaction with the DA's presence in the Government of National Unity (GNU), saying it is "strong and visible,"

"I trust that the President's address will reflect the plurality of voices now in national government, and that he will commit himself wholeheartedly to this necessary policy shift," he said.

After losing its outright majority in the 2024 national and provincial elections in May, the African National Congress was forced to approach opposition parties to form a coalition government.

Eleven of the 18 parties with seats in the National Assembly have signed the GNU Statement of Intent (SoI).

Steenhuisen said the DA in Parliament was in the "strongest" position it had ever been in to play the critical oversight role necessary to "rescue" South Africa.

He said his party's Ministers and chairpersons had speedily begun the crucial work of turning South Africa around.

As part of the GNU, the DA has taken up six positions in the national Cabinet, six Deputy Minister positions, five parliamentary portfolio chairperson positions, and three committee chairperson positions.

Steenhuisen assured that the party remained steadfast in its commitment to its founding values and principles, and to the Constitution.

"As the DA remains an independent party within the GNU, we remain committed to our core values and principles, and will continue to serve South Africans with integrity, accountability, and a relentless pursuit of good governance," he said.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde urged Ramaphosa to focus on revitalising economic growth that enabled job creation.

He wants Ramaphosa to ensure the rapid implementation of Operation Vulindlela, with a particular focus on dramatically improving the viability of the port, freight and logistics network.

Winde said Ramaphosa must commit to providing adequate funding for the residents of the Western Cape through fair budgetary allocation, especially for schools, clinics, hospitals and police stations.

RADICAL AND ANTI-CONSTITUTIONALIST FORCES

Meanwhile, Steenhuisen noted that the DA joined the GNU to rescue South Africa from "radical and anti-constitutionalist forces", which he said threatened the foundations of South Africa's democracy.

"Nowhere is this more evident than in the utterances and behaviour of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) parties which would seek to implement destructive policies and ideals such as the abolition of the Constitution, and parliamentary sovereignty - a proposal which harks back to the dark days of our past," he said.

He highlighted that where the EFF and MK Party (MKP) sought to "break" the country, the DA sought to build it.

Steenhuisen said Parliament now houses the likes of impeached High Court judge John Hlophe, and VBS Mutual Bank theft-accused Julius Malema, whose parties he said "are the very antithesis to what South Africa hopes to achieve".

He said the DA's role in the GNU is to prevent the MKP and the EFF from getting their hands on the levers of executive power.

"Our inclusion in the GNU has extended the DA's executive might, and strengthened our legislative capability where we can govern better and scrutinise the executive more effectively for the benefit of all South Africans," he said.

The African National Congress (ANC) said former President and now leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) Jacob Zuma's appearance before its National Disciplinary Committee, scheduled for Wednesday, is proceeding as planned.

The session is being held virtually. The hearing was originally scheduled for 7 May, but was postponed indefinitely.

The party summoned Zuma to appear before its disciplinary committee, accusing him of violating the ANC's constitution for publicly supporting the opposition party.

The ANC subsequently suspended Zuma in January after he announced he would be campaigning and voting for the MKP.

The ANC said a verdict would be announced once the committee had received and reviewed all representations, noting that it could not specify the timeline for this process as it depended on the scope of the deliberations and the issues under consideration.

The ANC reminded the public that party disciplinary proceedings were not open to the media and the public.

ActionSA on Tuesday rejected proposed cuts to South African Revenue Service (Sars) budget, calling on the Government of National Unity to ensure that critical institutions are sufficiently funded to give full effect to their mandates.

ActionSA MP Alan Beesley explained that as outlined in the proposed budget, Sars faced substantial cuts, with a nominal reduction of R769-million and a real cut of R1.3-billion, which the party contended were "unworkable" and thus, demanded its reversal.

Beesley highlighted that owing to the critical role that Sars plays in collecting over 90% of the government's revenue, the party believed that it was ill-advised to further limit the capacity of the revenue collector.

Beesley said if Sars could not operate at full capacity, it would lead to constraints on the fiscal coffers.

The party noted that the cuts would adversely impact Sars's ability to effectively collect revenue and perform its mandate, potentially affecting the overall fiscal balance sheet.

ActionSA said it was "nonsensical" that while essential State functions such as Sars and the judiciary "suffer under broad austerity measures", the billion-rand perks of a bloated Cabinet remain seemingly untouched.

He said that in effect, by cutting Sars' budget, the government was biting the hand that feeds it, which, he said defied all logic.

"Rather than cutting Sars' budget, it should be further capacitated to increase revenue collections by targeting the political elite and other criminal syndicates that, through illegal activities, remain outside the tax net," he added.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it will be pushing the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to lay a broad range of charges in the matter of the Life Esidimeni Inquest, within a tight time frame.

Last week, in its judgment, the Pretoria High Court ruled that former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu, and former Gauteng Mental Health head Dr Makgabo Manamela acted with negligence, which led to the deaths of 141 mentally ill patients.

The judge also ruled that their conduct made the deaths of these patients inevitable.

DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom said it was significant that Judge Mmonoa Teffo accepted that earlier evidence from Justice Dikgang Moseneke's arbitration in this matter could be accepted as part of the inquest proceedings.

Bloom stated that there was an enormous amount of testimony, which he believed should be used to prosecute not only Mahlangu and Manamela, but others implicated in the suffering of the hundreds of mental patients sent to unsuitable non-governmental organisations.

"Mahlangu and Manamela should be charged with culpable homicide, but there were also many contraventions of the Mental Health Care Act and the National Health Act, which have severe penalties for negligent treatment," he said.

The DA said it had studied the full 196-page Life Esidimeni Inquest judgment, and that its spokesperson on Justice Glynnis Breytenbach would be writing to the NPA to provide details by August 15, of who will be charged, and for what offences, concerning the Esidimeni tragedy.

Bloom said Breytenbach would question the NPA in Parliament's Justice Portfolio Committee if firm assurances were not given.

"We need to know what measures are being taken to expedite the charges and court procedures, so that justice is finally served in this terrible tragedy," he noted.

ActionSA, on Tuesday, stressed that wanting the issue of illegal immigration tackled was not xenophobia.

During Monday's Home Affairs Budget Vote debate ActionSA said urgent intervention was needed to deal with the "crisis".

ActionSA parliamentary caucus chief whip Lerato Ngobeni said her party rejected "cheap labelling" of its unambiguous declaration of the need for intervention as xenophobia.

The party said it wanted to strengthen the legal mechanisms for entry into South Africa for those "genuinely wishing to contribute to the country's economy".

The party claimed that the current immigration regime made it difficult for foreign nationals to enter South Africa legally but made it easy for people to do so illegally.

"Consequently, South Africa is now embattled by an uncontrolled influx of illegal migrants, emboldened international drug syndicates, human traffickers, organised cross-border criminals, and the unfortunate domination of critical local sectors, such as spaza shops, by foreign nationals," stated Ngobeni.

She said her party had repeatedly expressed concern that the impact of this was hardest felt by the poor, who, among other issues, not only must confront the "reality of competing in an already constrained labour market with cheap and exploitable" foreign labour, but also live in "communities turned into drug dens and war zones by often untraceable violent criminal gangs".

She said government's mismanagement and policy failure had resulted in the country's porous borders, lax immigration controls, and a corrupt Department of Home Affairs and law enforcement agencies that were "ill-capacitated" to enforce immigration laws.

"Therefore, it is unthinkable that opposition to this illegality is somehow more of an affront than the fact that our sovereignty and laws are being undermined," she added.

Ngobeni said it was misguided and inflammatory to associate genuine advocacy for urgent intervention on this crisis with xenophobia, which she said had come to feature as a recurring tool "employed to stifle debate on this issue".

"ActionSA is undeterred by the bullish mischaracterisation of our position and will continue with our resolve to advocate for the people of South Africa on this issue by applying maximum pressure, alongside like-minded parties, on the Department of Home Affairs to restore the integrity of South Africa's immigration regime," she said.