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Reuters
South African President Jacob Zuma (left) and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe take a salute before Zuma's State of the Nation address at Parliament in Cape Town.
Cape Town - The State of the Nation address (SONA) in Parliament on Thursday enthralled most, bored some and clearly gave a few politicians something to think about.
But one thing was clear: President Jacob Zuma was adamant his glasses would not make a spectacle of him.
Just before delivering his much-awaited speech, Zuma took off his glasses, wiped his ears and then made sure to wipe his glasses too so they would not slip down the bridge of his nose.
In the past, Zuma's loose glasses have been the topic of conversation for many.
Some even took part in a game for this year's speech - called State of the Nation undress - where viewers would have to remove an item of clothing every time Zuma pushed up his glasses, coughed, laughed, said “absolutely” or “poverty”, or seemed distracted by an attractive woman in the House.
As a result of this year's speech many citizens were left without clothes.
A user on Twitter, (at)Jonathan_Witt, said: “Surely there is an optometrist who can sponsor President Zuma a pair of glasses that fit snugly onto his face.”
The inventor of the game, radio DJ (at)GarethCliff said: “We're totally screwed. That was a cough, laugh, push, cough, laugh combo. I'm down to four items.”
Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, complete with scarlet headpiece, did not have time for games. He spent his time studiously taking notes, as did Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale, albeit with a more modern approach on his laptop.
Zuma's wives, dressed to the nines, had an eagle eye's view of their husband from the gallery. His latest spouse Thobeka Madiba seemed a bit sleepy though and rested her eyes for moments, while second wife Nompumelelo Ntuli smiled adoringly.
Down below, the nine premiers seemed quite jovial and often nudged each other or giggled. When Zuma made mention of good news for one of their provinces, the premier concerned would nod at the others proudly.
Some of Zuma's announcements were more of a hit than others.
The house rocked with loud whistling and applause to the president's comment that the willing buyer, willing seller strategy had not adequately addressed land redistribution.
The audience applauded and ululated to acknowledge a proposed law that would criminalise the act of fronting, used by companies to circumvent the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.
Zuma's speech was largely praised for being more decisive and focused, zooming in mostly on the economy. - Sapa
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Hangmann, wrote
It may have been his best speech yet (was rushing to complete a design & technical drawings), but it's still all a lot of hot air and little to no action, sadly one of the few things SA has become excellent at).
badballie, wrote
Certainly and upbeat speech and a big improvement on previous years, just such a pity that the promises made this year are as hollow as the promises made over the last 18 years. Once we see the change become a reality, this year was little more than a PR version of the hot air that has been presented every years since the ANC took power.
scanban, wrote
The only exiting thing about the speech was seeing my girlfriend getting nacket slower than usual........
Anonymous, wrote
Wow this speech was the best we've heard since he came into power .. He focused on infrastructure and job creation.. High five too that ... Reading some of the comments clearly black leadership will never be good enough neh ... Had it been Zille saying the exact same words I'm sure the comments would be different... Lets give credit where due .. No ones perfect but considering that this year its about JOBS AND INFRASTRUCTURE then we need to give the goverment a chance and support them and not always be negative ..
Mahikeng, wrote
Take it easy Mr. Motlanthe because very soon you will be the president of both the republic and ANC.
Chillipeppa, wrote
If this is the best leader our country can muster its no wonder we are headed for doom and gloom. The ululating at announcements of plundering land go to show the "something for nothing" culture that has crept into Africanism. I firmly blame our colonial past for this and the spirit of giving.
Sakhile, wrote
We sound like the Republicans in the white house. They hate Obama for his colour more than for his work. I think we are the same here. The speech was to the point and answering questions rather than blah blah blah...How provinces implement is another story and Zuma can't do much. I think if we are so negative we should leave this country. Honestly. What do we think?
Susan, wrote
Thought that SONA was something done in a hospital? I am must have been under some anaesthetic to have even viewed these inane utterances from a complete incompetent!
Daniel, wrote
yada yada yada yada and the hospitals are running out of medicine, no machines, the oke the post office can't use a calculator and the cops are stealing, Limpopo over spend their budget by billions and he just yada yada yada what a fricken joke this place has become, and all the puppets and thiefs pose outside in their abundantly well figures and displaying their bad taste in clothing!!! I mean please someone help us here
Julian , wrote
We will wait and see, those smiling premiers were smiling because now they have more money to get their dirty hand onto. How much will be stolen this year ?
naked eyes, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
alex, wrote
Sello, wrote
I am always critical of this guy, but this time he focused his thoughts, his speech answered the often asked "how question".Im glad he did not say anything about national unity, race and whatnot cos the ANC does not believe in that and saying it would be a waste of time. He followed the Maslow's Hierachy of needs in preparing his speech.
baboona, wrote
Mzozo, wrote
I also think the content was much better this time around. It must have been a new speech writer. The delivery was still awful. When all is said and done what remains is that the country can and must do better than to be lead and represented by someone who is among the worst we have to offer. We cannot have another term of gropping in the dark (pun intended, actually).
Anonymous, wrote
to be honest this yeats SONA was much improved. it was good to see him actually crack a smile and actually sort out his glasses :) honestly the guy means well, if he just got his party in gear he would make a pretty decent president.
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