In response to the 2024 Opening of Parliament Address (OPA), ActionSA offers up a mixture of cautious optimism and critical scepticism.
For starters, we must highlight a significant shift in the government’s approach in this OPA, compared to the SoNA we witnessed on the 8th of February 2024.
The language and policies now reflect what ActionSA has been advocating for years, including maintaining state infrastructure and employing competent, qualified personnel. So, it would appear that the President took the time to read and extract inspiration from ActionSA’s Policy Document.
This shift begs the question: why were these common-sense measures not implemented earlier? It seems as though the government has had a sudden awareness transformation in their priorities.
We applaud the government’s nod towards sustainability at the local level, but we believe that clarity on how exactly they plan to support this transition should be made available to us.
The emphasis on inclusive economic growth and empowerment is commendable, as it aligns closely with our goals at ActionSA.
The intention to release state land, provide post-settlement support, and foster rural development is a positive step towards job creation in rural areas. However, there is thin credibility to this claim.
The promotion of public-private partnerships is another point of contention. Recognising their potential, we must also criticise the government’s historical failure to deliver on such initiatives.
Therefore, as ActionSA we pledge to monitor the implementation of these partnerships closely, ensuring they lead to tangible benefits rather than remaining empty promises.
Our critique extends to the omission of critical issues like South Africa’s international reputation, the grey listing due to financial mismanagement, and pervasive corruption. These areas are vital to restoring trust and credibility on the global stage to attract investment.
Furthermore, while the generation of green energy, including wind and solar, was acknowledged, there are persistent challenges with Independent Power Producer (IPP) licensing. These challenges hinder the effective integration of renewable energy into the national grid. Without reliable and affordable energy, economic growth will remain a distant dream.
Improving the freight rail network is crucial, but we must highlight the government’s past neglect that led to its current state of disrepair and vandalism. Reviving such infrastructure without addressing the root causes of its decline seems infeasible.
Similarly, investment in bulk water infrastructure, such as building dams and ensuring efficient water reticulation, is met with scepticism due to the government’s lack of credibility in delivering large-scale projects.
On the topic of visa reforms, we acknowledge their overdue nature and emphasize their importance not only for attracting visitors but also for bringing in scarce skills essential for national development. However, the absence of measures to enhance the integrity of South African passports internationally is a concern. Strengthening passport integrity would reduce travel costs for citizens and bolster our nation’s image.
We further noted the glaring omission in addressing illegal immigration. A pressing issue affecting both social stability and economic resources. The government’s lack of a comprehensive strategy to address this challenge is troubling.
The promise of affordable access to Early Childhood Development (ECD) is directly lifted from ActionSA’s manifesto. While we appreciate the government’s adoption of this policy, we question the execution and follow-through, highlighting the need for genuine commitment beyond mere rhetoric.
Discussing the financial aspects of the new policies, we can’t help but sarcastically remark on the government’s apparent discovery of a “new money wand”, which does not correlate with government’s broad budget cuts. Cadre deployment, a practice that has plagued South African politics, seems to have been set aside, at least rhetorically. This shift towards what I term “complete transformation” will be closely watched, as I anticipate the challenge of holding the government accountable to these lofty intentions.
Finally, we draw attention to the rebranding of ActionSA’s Opportunity Fund into what the government now calls a Sovereign Wealth Fund. While we welcome the change in terminology, we stress the importance of ensuring that such funds are managed independently, transparently and effectively to truly benefit our economy.
In summary, our response to the 2024 OPA is a blend of cautious endorsement and pointed criticism. While we acknowledge the alignment of many new government policies with ActionSA’s manifesto, we remain wary of the government’s ability and willingness to implement these policies effectively. Vigilant oversight and genuine action are necessary to transform promises into reality.
OPA 2024: ActionSA Offers Cautious Endorsement of OPA, Maintains Critical Scepticism
In response to the 2024 Opening of Parliament Address (OPA), ActionSA offers up a mixture of cautious optimism and critical scepticism.
For starters, we must highlight a significant shift in the government’s approach in this OPA, compared to the SoNA we witnessed on the 8th of February 2024.
The language and policies now reflect what ActionSA has been advocating for years, including maintaining state infrastructure and employing competent, qualified personnel. So, it would appear that the President took the time to read and extract inspiration from ActionSA’s Policy Document.
This shift begs the question: why were these common-sense measures not implemented earlier? It seems as though the government has had a sudden awareness transformation in their priorities.
We applaud the government’s nod towards sustainability at the local level, but we believe that clarity on how exactly they plan to support this transition should be made available to us.
The emphasis on inclusive economic growth and empowerment is commendable, as it aligns closely with our goals at ActionSA.
The intention to release state land, provide post-settlement support, and foster rural development is a positive step towards job creation in rural areas. However, there is thin credibility to this claim.
The promotion of public-private partnerships is another point of contention. Recognising their potential, we must also criticise the government’s historical failure to deliver on such initiatives.
Therefore, as ActionSA we pledge to monitor the implementation of these partnerships closely, ensuring they lead to tangible benefits rather than remaining empty promises.
Our critique extends to the omission of critical issues like South Africa’s international reputation, the grey listing due to financial mismanagement, and pervasive corruption. These areas are vital to restoring trust and credibility on the global stage to attract investment.
Furthermore, while the generation of green energy, including wind and solar, was acknowledged, there are persistent challenges with Independent Power Producer (IPP) licensing. These challenges hinder the effective integration of renewable energy into the national grid. Without reliable and affordable energy, economic growth will remain a distant dream.
Improving the freight rail network is crucial, but we must highlight the government’s past neglect that led to its current state of disrepair and vandalism. Reviving such infrastructure without addressing the root causes of its decline seems infeasible.
Similarly, investment in bulk water infrastructure, such as building dams and ensuring efficient water reticulation, is met with scepticism due to the government’s lack of credibility in delivering large-scale projects.
On the topic of visa reforms, we acknowledge their overdue nature and emphasize their importance not only for attracting visitors but also for bringing in scarce skills essential for national development. However, the absence of measures to enhance the integrity of South African passports internationally is a concern. Strengthening passport integrity would reduce travel costs for citizens and bolster our nation’s image.
We further noted the glaring omission in addressing illegal immigration. A pressing issue affecting both social stability and economic resources. The government’s lack of a comprehensive strategy to address this challenge is troubling.
The promise of affordable access to Early Childhood Development (ECD) is directly lifted from ActionSA’s manifesto. While we appreciate the government’s adoption of this policy, we question the execution and follow-through, highlighting the need for genuine commitment beyond mere rhetoric.
Discussing the financial aspects of the new policies, we can’t help but sarcastically remark on the government’s apparent discovery of a “new money wand”, which does not correlate with government’s broad budget cuts. Cadre deployment, a practice that has plagued South African politics, seems to have been set aside, at least rhetorically. This shift towards what I term “complete transformation” will be closely watched, as I anticipate the challenge of holding the government accountable to these lofty intentions.
Finally, we draw attention to the rebranding of ActionSA’s Opportunity Fund into what the government now calls a Sovereign Wealth Fund. While we welcome the change in terminology, we stress the importance of ensuring that such funds are managed independently, transparently and effectively to truly benefit our economy.
In summary, our response to the 2024 OPA is a blend of cautious endorsement and pointed criticism. While we acknowledge the alignment of many new government policies with ActionSA’s manifesto, we remain wary of the government’s ability and willingness to implement these policies effectively. Vigilant oversight and genuine action are necessary to transform promises into reality.