Mixed reactions to Ramaphosa’s address to the nation

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – In what is seen as a surprise move, President Cyril Ramaphosa, a day before special election, addressed the nation wishing citizens to vote while also reviewing the work done by his government and the challenges it has encountered.

However, the address has been met with mixed reactions.
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela said on her X handle that an ambassador asked her whether or not the president of the country should have given a wrap up address instead of analysing the veracity of the content.

“ I literally said I have no idea. It is my considered view that the president has a duty to reassure the nation in times like this. There is no law or principle that he cannot wrap up his term with an address to us and his colleagues. He attacked no one and said nothing about ANC.”

A political analyst from University of Free State Sethulego Matebesi had this to say: “for someone in that office it can be very confusing as to which hat he is wearing because there is a fine line between party and government.

“That is a huge problem in South Africa but going forward, I still believe he was sharing the mandate of the president in encouraging communities to go and exercise their democratic right by voting in a peaceful and orderly manner.“
But Tom Eaton shared a different view on his X platform, saying Ramaphosa yet again erased the line between party and state tonight.

Echoing his sentiments Piet Du Toit perceived Ramaphosa’s address to the nation on the eve of the special election as a clear abuse of power.
“This is a clear abuse of power by the President, and a last and unashamed pitch to voters to support the incumbent party. The line between party and state has been obliterated.”

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa.

During his interview on Newzroom Africa, political analyst Sandile Swana said President Cyril Ramaphosa as a leader of government should not have commented on the reported obstruction of election activities and unlawful entry to the voting station by some members of a political party in KwaZulu Natal.

These reactions were to the President’s address to the nation as the sixth democratic administration draws to a close. He spoke about the path South Africans have travelled together over the last five years.

“Tomorrow morning at 9am, in voting stations and homes across the country, South Africans who have registered for special votes will begin to cast their ballots.”

And this Wednesday, the 29th of May, millions more South Africans will exercise this most important of democratic rights.
This will be the seventh time that South Africans of all races, from all walks of life, from all corners of our country, will go to vote for national and provincial government.