Parliament will never be the same. Yesterday, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, Julius Malema, proved his radicalism.
Not only did he challenge President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation speech, he raised pertinent points about nation-building.
For a number of years parliament has been like a church service, with members playing it safe. Not that we are calling for insults and misconduct. What we are asking for is that parliament be robust.
Analysts complained that Zuma' s speech lacked energy and failed to inspire the nation to look forward to the next five years. As usual, the opposition lambasted the president for not rising to the occasion by introducing innovative ideas to address national ills .
As the debate rages, the country is reeling from rising unemployment and poverty.
It is hoped that Zuma and the ANC will not disappoint the nation and fail to deliver this time around.
If the speeches of Malema and DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane are anything to go by, few MPs will be dozing in the National Assembly in the next five years. It is hoped the two young leaders and others will shake the "sleeping beauties" into becoming catalysts for a just society.
We expect MPs to be more robust in their roles. They have an obligation not to allow the National Assembly to degenerate into a house of insults and name-calling.
Though Malema and Maimane bring a new energy to national discourse, we should not be swayed from the objectives that underpin our constitution.
Zuma should remember that if promises are not fulfilled, they turn into lies. The president wants cabinet ministers to sign performance agreements. He, too, should be held to account and shown the red card if his words are not translated into decisive action.
The next five years should be focused on transforming South Africa.
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