Ndifuna Ukwazi: Ramaphosa's SONA did not accurately reflect land and housing struggle
Ndifuna Ukwazi's Yusrah Bardien said President Ramaphosa made significant commitments around land reform in the previous SONA, but on Thursday night offered no updates on this matter.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his State of the Nation Address in Parliament on 11 February 2021. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - Lobby Group Ndifuna Ukwazi has said the optimistic picture painted by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State Of the Nation Address (SONA) did not accurately reflect the reality of the struggle for land and housing.
On Thursday night, Ramaphosa delivered his last SONA of this administration at the Cape Town City Hall.
The president said one of the most visible, impactful, and meaningful achievements in the first three decades of freedom has been in providing homes to people.
He said nearly nine out of every ten households live in a formal dwelling.
Ramaphosa added that the government was working to ensure that subsidised housing is located close to work, education, and services.
Ndifuna Ukwazi's Yusrah Bardien:
"A large omission in his speech was the tragic fire in Marshalltown, Johannesburg last year where nearly 80 poor and working-class people died, including 12 children, and which the president himself called a wake-up call for the challenges facing housing in inner cities and urban areas".
Bardien added that Ramaphosa made significant commitments around land reform in the previous SONA.
"The president has offered no updates whatsoever which is a worrying signal that little progress is being made and that this important issue is slipping down his list of priorities," Bardien said.