In a scathing response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), Naledi Chirwa, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament, boldly accused the president of being bullied and of failing to address the pressing issues facing South Africans.

Speaking on behalf of marginalised groups across the country, Chirwa criticised Ramaphosa's leadership, highlighting his failure to deliver justice and economic freedom, while pointing out that he continues to bow to Western imperialist forces and internal pressures from powerful groups.

"Mr President, you are being bullied,'' she said.

According to Chirwa, Ramaphosa's reluctance to push for the expropriation of land without compensation is a clear sign of his submission to external pressure.

Chirwa pointed out that the president has not supported key legislation, such as the amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution, which would have facilitated land reform and justice for black South Africans who have long been dispossessed of their land.

As Chirwa put it, "If you were not being bullied, the South African government would pass legislation that all the food bought by government for public facilities should be sourced from small-scale farmers and food producers."

She underscored how this policy could spark sustainable economic activity and uplift many South Africans, especially young people, by providing them with job opportunities in agriculture.

Chirwa’s speech was a powerful call for change, particularly in response to the widespread suffering across the country.

She spoke on behalf of various groups, from women struggling to receive justice in maintenance courts to young graduates who face the harsh reality of unemployment despite their educational achievements.

“We respond on behalf of thousands and thousands of young men and women ... who are faced with a tormenting reality that their lives will amount to nothingness because their bachelor’s degree passes did not guarantee them a table in university,'' she said.

Her words also touched on the systemic issues affecting vulnerable populations, particularly black women and disabled children.

Chirwa shared the heart-wrenching case of Khanyisile, a young black girl who faces bullying due to her race at Sutherland High School, as well as Amahle, a 17-year-old girl with special needs who has yet to receive the education she is entitled to.

“Her and thousands of other children with disabilities and special needs are cursed with having you as the government of the day.”

Chirwa did not stop at condemning Ramaphosa’s inaction; she also laid bare the failures of his administration in addressing the nation’s core issues.

''Your presidency does nothing for us, Mr President. It doesn’t protect us, nor does it give us justice,'' said Chirwa.

She referenced the ongoing struggles of workers, business owners, and the poor, including farm workers who receive paltry wages and those living in violence-stricken areas.

“The state carries the obligation to redress imbalances of the past through the enactment of laws that will achieve redress and equitably redistribute all resources.”

Chirwa argued that Ramaphosa has failed to create an environment where ordinary South Africans can thrive. She called for the nationalisation of key industries, including mines, banks, and other sectors that would guarantee economic freedom for all citizens.

Despite the harsh critique, Chirwa ended her speech on a note of hope, reiterating the EFF’s radical vision for South Africa’s future.

She highlighted the need for “economic freedom in our lifetime” as the guiding principle behind their activism and political efforts.

The EFF continues to advocate for transformative policies such as expropriation of land without compensation, free quality education, healthcare, housing, sanitation, and the abolition of tenders in favour of building state capacity.

“The Economic Freedom Fighters can claim to not being bullied because we continue to rally behind the radical call for expropriation of land, nationalisation of mines, and free quality education.”

IOL Politics

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SONA Debate: 'Mr President, you are being bullied', says EFF's Naledi Chirwa