Opening of Parliament an opportunity to showcase strength of SA's democracy: Roelf Meyer

CAPE TOWN - Former politician and businessman Roelf Meyer says Thursday presents a wonderful opportunity for President Cyril Ramaphosa to show South Africans and the world that the democracy former president Nelson Mandela built 30 years ago is still standing.

Meyer, who was Ramaphosa’s negotiating partner in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) peace talks said the country remained a leading example of how elections should be run.

Ramaphosa is due to deliver the Opening of Parliament Address on Thursday, signalling the official opening of Parliament.

Thursday also marks what would have been Madiba’s 106th birthday. 

Meyer said while South Africa has many challenges, the government has come together in a dedicated manner, which he believes will be able to address those issues.

“Economic growth, to provide new job opportunities, additional job opportunities is going to be very important but that can only be done on the basis of a stable government and on the basis of addressing underlying factors, like corruption, like crime and all of those are very key requirements.”