COSATU gives Ramaphosa a 'pass mark' ahead of SONA
The labour federation said enacting critical laws like the National Health Insurance in 2024 count in Ramaphosa’s favour.
President Cyril Ramaphosa conducted an oversight visit to rural Mkhambathini on 31 January 2023 in line with the Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme. Picture: Supplied/GCIS
CAPE TOWN – The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has given President Cyril Ramaphosa a "pass mark" as he prepares to deliver the Government of National Unity (GNU)’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Ramaphosa’s address comes about eight months since he took control of the GNU, which has been characterised by disagreements over legislation and policy.
However, the labour federation said that enacting critical laws like the National Health Insurance in 2024 counted in Ramaphosa’s favour.
COSATU spokesperson and parliamentary coordinator, Matthew Parks, said it had not been an easy ride for President Ramaphosa since the start of the seventh administration.
But he said Ramaphosa pushing ahead with contentious laws like the BELA Act, despite its opposition, was for the benefit of most South Africans.
"I think we would give the president a pass mark on many fronts. He’s had a very difficult set of cards to play with on the political front."
Parks said Ramaphosa held his own even during turbulent times.
"But he still held the line signing the NHI Act to provide universal healthcare and signing the Expropriation Act to really empower the state to tackle the issue of land reform."
In terms of priorities for SONA, COSATU wants Ramaphosa to focus on fixing Eskom, stabilise Transnet and state-owned entities and abandon what it calls "reckless austerity budget cuts".