Opposition Parties Slam Ramaphosa’s SONA: “Just More Empty Promises”

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2025 has been met with harsh criticism from opposition parties, who argue that it lacked substance, failed to outline concrete action plans, and did not account for previous promises.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema dismissed the address as repetitive and empty.

“In the previous address it was ‘Tintswalo’ and before it was ‘Thuma Mina’. There is no accountability. He uses this platform to waffle,” Malema said.

He criticized Ramaphosa’s job creation and infrastructure plans, saying they lacked specifics on execution. He also pointed out unfulfilled promises, such as the R1 billion allocated for flood-damaged houses in KwaZulu-Natal, which remain unbuilt.

A Speech Without Action, Say Other Opposition Leaders

Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane argued that Ramaphosa missed an opportunity to present clear timelines and measurable outcomes.

“If you want to build a capable state, you cannot afford corruption at senior level. The collapse of local government is a function of corruption,” Maimane stated.

He said the speech felt like a repeat of previous years, without strong commitments to fight corruption or fix local government failures.

MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela described the address as a “nothingness speech”, saying it reflected a failing state.

“GDP per capita shows South Africans are getting poorer. It is a disaster,” Ndhlela added.

He also criticized the government’s infrastructure investment claims, questioning whether any of the projects had actually created jobs.

Concerns Over Unemployment, Crime, and Load-Shedding

African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula said the SONA failed to reflect the real struggles of South Africans.

“If you go to any township or village, people are suffering. Poverty is so bad that some have resorted to taking their own lives because they cannot cope under this government.”

He highlighted high unemployment, crime, and the return of load-shedding as ongoing crises that the government has failed to resolve since 2018.

ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe echoed calls for greater transparency, bringing up the Phala Phala farm scandal, where millions of dollars were allegedly hidden.

“It is important for the president to know that he cannot be favoured by the police or the NPA. The president has failed to tell the nation how the $4 million came to his farm,” Meshoe stated.

What’s Next for South Africa?

With opposition parties united in their dissatisfaction, the Government of National Unity (GNU) faces growing pressure to deliver tangible results. The real test will be whether the government takes action on the challenges outlined—or if next year’s SONA will bring more of the same.

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