DA's Steenhuisen says SA still in crisis and must let go of the failed policies of previous administration
Steenhuisen says the economy continues to grow at a slow pace with unemployment at an all-time high and serious violent crime.
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen during the SONA debate in Parliament on 11 February 2025. Picture: Phando Jikelo/Parliament
CAPE TOWN - Democratic Alliance (DA) leader and Agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, says South Africa is still in the grips of a crisis and must let go of the failed policies of the previous administration.
He said the economy continues to grow at a slow pace with unemployment at an all-time high and serious violent crime.
Steenhuisen was taking part in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate in parliament on Tuesday where parties are responding to the president’s speech.
Last week, Steenhuisen said he was extremely proud that the DA's policies were 'front and centre' in the president's SONA.
But Steenhuisen said the country remains in a crisis with stagnant economic growth and one of the highest unemployment rates in the world.
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"South Africa is in a crisis. For ten years, our population has grown faster than our economy -- making us poorer."
He said violent crime still destroys lives and education outcomes are still poor.
But Steenhuisen said a new policy approach is needed to turn things around.
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"But it means that we need to do whatever we can to turn the economy around. The time for a break with failed policies is now."
Steenhuisen also warned about the diplomatic fallout with the United States, saying the country now confronts a “new threat” of US tariff barriers and being kicked out of the African Growth and Opportunity Act.