Zuma dedicates 2016 to fighting racism 'demon' as #SONA2016 gets underway

11 February 2016 - 22:28 By Jan-Jan Joubert

While opposition MPs refused to bow to his authority and protesters clashed with police a few street blocks away‚ President Jacob Zuma promised to dedicate this year to a fight against racism. Watch the highlights from #SONA2016For more than an hour‚ chaos reigned in the National Asembly as Zuma tried to deliver his State of the Nation address‚ but he was continuously interrupted by members of the opposition‚ from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Congress of the People (Cope).Noting that the journey to a non-racial society was marred by what he referred to as examples of racism on social media over the last few months, Zuma declared that this year's anniversary of Human Rights Day on March 21 will be dedicated to be a national day against racism.He said this year's Human Rights Day would be the start of a long-term programme to combat racism.After an hour‚ Zuma made very little progress in delivering his speech.Earlier‚ Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota led his three MPs out of the debating chamber‚ claiming that Zuma had broken his oath of office.With "points of order" still coming‚ chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Thandi Modise eventually called in the parliamentary security to remove the whole EFF caucus.The EFF then walked out of the National Assembly‚ chanting "Zupta Must Fall" - conflating the names of Zuma and his associates‚ the Gupta family‚ whose growth in assets and closeness to state power have raised eyebrows.After that‚ Zuma continued his speech uninterrupted.Outside the debating chamber‚ Zuma's annual showpiece was marred by street violence a mere three street blocks from parliament in the city centre. The protesters could not reach the president and the lawmakers‚ because a ring of steel had been drawn around the parliamentary precinct by scores of police with armoured vehicles...

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