PODCAST | Will Sona shoot the lights out on load-shedding?

Will members of the public — those who won't be victims of load-shedding — on Thursday evening witness history repeating itself when President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his state of the nation address?

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While Ramaphosa plans to deliver an impeccable Sona, EFF leader Julius Malema has different ideas. Malema plans to continue where he left off when Jacob Zuma was head of state by also disrupting Ramaphosa's speech.

“We are going to show him [Ramaphosa] what we are made of there in parliament,” Malema recently threatened. “We'll not be addressed by a constitutional delinquent.”

Rivonia Circle founder Songezo Zibi told Taking The Rams By The Horns podcast host Rams Mabote that many promises made in the previous Sona have proved to be hollow, as they only aim to impress pundits and journalists.

To strengthen his case, Zibi said the police budget was going to be reduced by R1bn this year, yet the president was likely to speak about increasing the fight against crime.

They also discuss last year's Sona, asking whether promises Ramaphosa made relating to growing the economy, creating jobs and combating hunger were met. Zibi further questions whether it is necessary to stick to the tradition of rolling out the red carpet for MPs.

Catch this discussion in the latest issue of the #TakingTheRamsByTheHorns.

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