MK Party says Ramaphosa's SONA will be filled with empty promises

CAPE TOWN - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party says the State of the Nation Address (SONA) will again be filled with empty promises.

The official opposition party believes the Government of National Unity (GNU) is incapable of delivering on its commitments.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to deliver his first SONA since the formation of the GNU at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday evening.

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The MK Party, which is attending its first-ever SONA, already has little hope that the president’s speech will be a true reflection of the state of the country.

Parliamentary chief whip, Mzwanele Manyi, believes the Government of National Unity is out of touch with the daily struggles of South Africans.

"Mr Ramaphosa is going to come here all smiling and charming and everyone is going to clap hands but we’re going to continue in our misery. So, we don’t expect much in this fake address that’s going to happen today."

It’s common for the official opposition party to hold what’s referred to as the alternative State of the Nation Address, however, Manyi suggested Parliament prevented the MK Party from doing this within Parliament’s precinct.

The organisation is also trying to deflect criticism that it hasn't effectively played the role of the official opposition party.

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