Rise Mzansi has cautiously endorsed progress made by the Government of National Unity (GNU) ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), but warned that President Cyril Ramaphosa cannot afford another speech heavy on promises and light on delivery, as crime, failing municipalities, water losses, and a worsening cost-of-living crisis continue to grip the country.
The SONA is scheduled to take place at Cape Town City Hall on Thursday, February 12.
The party said that while it supports improvements under the GNU, including modest economic growth, South Africa’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, an S&P Global credit rating upgrade from BB- to BB, the end of rolling blackouts, and tourism numbers returning to pre-Covid levels, South Africans remain unsafe, economically strained, and underserved.
Rise Mzansi said it expects Ramaphosa to present clear, measurable plans to tackle violent crime, rescue failing local governments, fix the water crisis, stabilise Transnet, address food insecurity, and respond decisively to climate change.
Rise Mzansi national spokesperson Mabine Seabe said South Africans are still living in fear despite a declared State of Disaster, with women and children highly vulnerable to gender-based violence and femicide, while public confidence in law enforcement continues to erode following revelations from the Madlanga Commission and the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee.
“The entire law enforcement community requires radical reforms,” he said, urging the President to explain how the government plans to halve the murder rate and combat organised crime.
Highlighting the collapse of local governments, Seabe said most municipalities face financial crises and struggle to deliver basic services.
“The President will need to outline a plan to repair and rebuild local governments, beyond setting up Presidential Working Groups,” he said.
Seabe also criticised water shortages as a symptom of broader municipal governance failures, noting that nearly half of treated water is lost before reaching households. Delays in stabilising Transnet, he warned, are costing the economy billions, with urgent action needed to secure R200-billion for the state-owned company.
He further highlighted the toll of rising living costs, hunger, and gambling, with almost 20 million South Africans food insecure and close to 30% of children under five at risk.
“The President cannot go on while South Africans are literally starving to death and gambling away their livelihoods,” he said.
Seabe also warned that climate change is worsening floods, droughts, and extreme weather events, affecting agriculture, livelihoods, and property, calling for decisive action “beyond agreements and platitudes.”
While acknowledging gains under the GNU, he stressed that leadership must be visible and accountable.
“The people of South Africa are looking for a leader and leadership, not just from the President but equally from their public representatives in Parliament,” he said.
The Star