Zuma’s State of the Nation Address: Jobs, Infrastructure and the Glitzy Red Carpet
Yesterday, while many of us were caught in the agonising traffic that resulted from widespread road closures and pervasive blue light brigades, Jacob Zuma delivered his annual State of the Nation address.
The Mail & Guardian has served up a special report on the illustrious affair (complete with a slideshow of the Red Carpet fashion), and Rapule Tabane and Lynley Donnelly have written up a “highlights package” which looks at some of the core issues addressed in Zuma’s speech.
Tabane and Donnelly say that Zuma’s 2012 speech included, for the first time, a report-back on the promises he made in last year’s address. Zuma also acknowledged key players in the liberation movement – mentioning Helen Suzman, the black consciousness movement, Sefako Makgatho, Zac Mahabane, Josiah Gumede, Pixley ka Isaka Seme, AB Xuma, JS Moroka, Chief Albert Luthuli, Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and John Langalibalele Dube, who was a main focus of the ANC’s centenary celebrations in January.
While Zuma spent a great deal of time repeatedly addressing various “honourable members” (no doubt a pressing issue), Zuma also touched on job creation, the plans for an infrastructure drive and the Eskom power crisis:
President Jacob Zuma on Thursday delivered one of his better State of the Nation speeches since taking office in 2009. The speech, while barren of any poetry or great quotes, was strong on detail and provided a sense of the earnestness and planning being put into efforts to unlock economic potential and create jobs.
What was also different about the president’s speech this year was that he acknowledged his promises from last year, and presented a report-back on that speech. This is a departure from the routine of making new promises every year without linking to or reflecting on previous undertakings.
Following the precedent set by Hollywood’s current awards season, parliament was fitted with a red carpet for the ostentatious occasion. The Mail & Guardian also captured some of the glitz and glamour in a slideshow, which is accompanied by an appropriately bow-chicka-bow-wow music track:
ZANews share their take on Zuma’s address:
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Photo courtesy Daily Maverick
Apr
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