Watching a visibly calm Ramaphosa delivering his first State of Nation Address (SONA) under Government of National Unity (GNU), the land expropriation issue was not addressed as it was expected by the nation.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has remained silent on the controversial Expropriation Act despite mounting international and domestic criticism.
Delivering his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) under the Government of National Unity (GNU) on Thursday, a composed Ramaphosa did not address the land expropriation issue, as many had expected. Citizens had anticipated clarity on the matter, but it was notably absent from his speech.
The land expropriation debate gained international attention following a statement from former US President Donald Trump, who threatened to suspend funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to South Africa, pending an investigation into allegations of land seizures.
Last month, Ramaphosa signed the Expropriation Bill into law, outlining the procedures by which state entities may expropriate land in the public interest. The decision sparked outrage, with several groups vowing to challenge the legislation in court.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and AfriForum have all threatened legal action against Ramaphosa. AfriForum has also urged the US to impose sanctions on African National Congress (ANC) politicians in response to the legislation.
Despite these tensions, Ramaphosa used his address to urge GNU members to prioritise collaboration over conflict. Acknowledging ongoing disputes within the unity government, he commended political parties for setting aside their differences in an effort to serve the nation.
“The formation of the Government of National Unity provides us with an opportunity to show once again what we can achieve by working together,” he said.
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