Official Cope Statement on the State of the Nation Address 2011

President Zuma addressed Parliament on his governments vision and plans for the third time since his election to office. Given the state of the economy, the state of local government and of basic service delivery, and given the developmental challenges our country faces, the speech was lacklustre and pedestrian.

The general but vague commitments to defending our constitution and democracy, fighting corruption, reforming procurement in the public sector and extending the welfare provided by the state to the poor were all welcome, but there is nothing new in these commitments.

A central weakness in the address was the failure, once again, to understand the relationship between investment and economic development, economic growth and job creation. The commitments to fund job creation, R19bn over the next 5 years or R4,2bn per annum, are a drop in the ocean, while the tax relief of R20bn - not a new set of incentives - are positive but limited.

What is required to turn this economy around and stimulate growth is a set of measures that is strategic, focused and that will dramatically alter the way the economy under-performs. There was nothing of the sort. The statement does not even address the fact that while vacancies might be filled in the public sector, only the private sector can create employment at the levels required.

Given the poor state of local government and the appallingly poor state of basic service delivery, the superficial manner in which this was addressed is cause for concern. It seems it will be poor services as usual for the majority of the poor and for citizens in general.

Some of the remarks, such as advising citizens to turn off their geysers, were bordering on the bizarre. Given the need to roll out local electricity generation, to promote green and renewable energy and the opportunity this would provide for job creation and positive environmental effects, the failure to even mention these possibilities is of grave concern.

In terms of the crisis in education, the governments denialism is worrying. To even pretend that improvements are being seen in basic education is to allow the crisis that prevails to deepen. The failures in higher education are equally worrying. Many students have been turned away from universities this year, despite qualifying for a place. Given the shortage of skills in the economy, this continued failure is nothing short of criminal.

This statement shows the profound crisis of confidence the government has in itself. There was little, if anything in the speech to inspire citizens and to give them the confidence that the government they voted for will look after their interests. The radical vision to deepen our democracy, to stimulate higher growth, to educate and train our people, to exploit our vast natural resources and to ensure their is shared growth, was once again lost.

COPE will continue to champion this vision, giving citizens the possibility of a New Agenda for Change and Hope.

Statement issued by Phillip Dexter, Congress of the People, February 11 2011

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