February 2011: President Jacob Zuma today (February 10) addresses Parliament in his third State of the Nation speech since taking power. He is expected to talk to the nation about his plans to tackle a number of serious issues such as government’s plan to drive job creation and reduce levels of unemployment.
Other weighty issues that will likely be near the top of the agenda include education, health, crime and corruption, as the ruling party looks to consolidate its immense power base. Then there is infrastructure, underdevelopment in rural areas, and did we mention corruption? We’d also like to put up our hands for skills development and skills transfer and how to get the many thousands leaving school at the end of 2011 into meaningful employment.
Pundits are all lining up in print, television, online and new media to try to predict what the big man will say later today, while public opinion polls show that (worryingly for the ruling party) Zuma’s performance ratings are down. It’s time for a big show from the big man.
Meanwhile, in a completely different take on this serious day on the political front, 5FM shock jock Gareth Cliff has been creating waves (for a change) this week with ongoing banter about his State of the Nation drinking game. Zuma, of course, is the target of this fun poke at the dreary business of politics.
Here’s roughly how the game goes, but there’s a link to more complete instructions further on in this post.
1. You will need a litre or two of some kind of liquid. You may use any kind of drink you like – hardcore phuza, water, wine, beer, tea, soft-drinks or even coffee. We discourage the use of methylated spirits, diesel and cat oil, for health reasons.
2. You must watch the entire speech – unless you lose consciousness after the first 40, 45 minutes – in which case you are exempted.
3. Every time the Prez says “Absolutely!”, clears his throat or pushes his glasses up on to the bridge of his nose; you must drink one shot of your choice liquid.
You get the general idea. Follow the link below (if you’re still able to read properly) . . . and don’t miss the big speech. – Ridge Correspondent
For the State of the Nation drinking game click here
News24 reports that President Zuma is feeling the weight of responsibility ahead of his big speech later today: President Jacob Zuma considers the State of the Nation address to be one of his “most important” speeches, he said in a radio interview ahead of the opening of Parliament.
“As you wake up, you know that you are carrying a very huge responsibility,” Zuma said in an interview broadcast on SAfm on Thursday morning.
“The nation puts you here and they are expecting you to report back what you have been doing, but also to say what is it you’re going to do on the tasks before you.
Speech a huge responsibility, says Zuma
Eyewitness News reported on concerns around the sluggish labour market: “Meanwhile, the Labour Department on Wednesday admitted there has not been enough transformation in the workplace and current unemployment levels are unacceptable. It said it hopes Zuma will provide concrete plans for job creation,” the site said.
Acting Director General of the Labour Department Sam Morotoba said it was largely the youth who are unemployed.
“That is a potential time bomb if we do not address the levels of unemployment within that category,” said Morotoba.