Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has urged South Africa to accelerate reforms while acknowledging progress made under the Government of National Unity, as he responded to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address in Parliament.
Steenhuisen told Parliament on Tuesday that whilst the country has achieved tangible progress since the formation of the GNU following the 2024 elections, current growth rates remain insufficient to address unemployment and poverty.
“We have turned the corner, yes – but we are nowhere near the destination,” Steenhuisen said during the debate on the presidential address delivered last week.
The opposition leader highlighted four consecutive quarters of positive GDP growth, inflation at its lowest level in 20 years, two consecutive primary budget surpluses, and South Africa’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force grey list as achievements under the coalition government.
However, he said projected growth rates of around 1.5% fall far short of the 3% or more needed to create jobs and lift millions out of poverty.
Steenhuisen outlined five priorities for accelerated reform: extending economic liberalisation to rail, water and telecommunications; ending cadre deployment in local government; expanding youth employment opportunities; tackling crime through sustained intelligence-led policing; and maintaining the GNU’s commitment to reform.
The DA leader criticised race-based empowerment frameworks, calling for them to be replaced with poverty-focused policies. He said the DA’s Economic Inclusion for All Bill represents a step towards genuine economic empowerment.
On the foot and mouth disease outbreak, Steenhuisen welcomed the president’s declaration of a national disaster. He announced that one million vaccine doses from BioGenesis Bago will arrive on Saturday, the largest single vaccine import to date.
The opposition leader said South Africa expects to receive more than five million vaccines from three suppliers by the end of March. More than two million vaccinations have already been administered, with the government targeting 80% of the national herd by December this year.
Steenhuisen said private veterinarians can now register to administer vaccines under the Animal Disease Act, expanding capacity for the rollout.
He said the DA remains committed to the coalition government but warned that commitment does not mean blind loyalty. “We will continue to fight for faster, bolder change,” he said.
The opposition leader concluded by calling for urgent action to capitalise on what he described as aligned political stability, improving economic fundamentals and global tailwinds.
“The time for cautious steps is over. The time to sprint toward prosperity is now,” Steenhuisen told Parliament.
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