News

Ramaphosa tells Malema to play the ball, not the man

todayJuly 22, 2024 192

Background
share close

 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has told EFF leader, Julius Malema, to play the ball and not the man.

The President was responding to the furious debate on his Opening of Parliament Address.

He says the name-calling and ethnic chauvinism seen during last week’s debate is regrettable.

Ramaphosa took a swipe at Malema, who had accused him of having been a sell-out during the liberation struggle.

“You spent a considerable amount of time playing me, what is important in building this country is to play the ball of development,” advised the President.

“You spend a lot of time talking about how the National Union of Mineworkers (Num) was formed. I would like you to read some books, but more importantly I would like you to spend time speaking to people like Gwede Mantashe, who was one of the first members of NUM.”

The President did not spare the rod on Malema, accusing him of disrespect.

Malema, who is known to charge at the President with words, sat with a smirk and smile listening to Ramaphosa reprimand him.

“You and I need to sit down and talk about politics, especially old politics, which I think you don’t seem to understand. You once stood here two years ago and you swore at me and my father who was a policeman, and yes, I am proud to be a son of a policeman. I’ve spoken to your grandmother, and I will never stand here and swear at her because I respect her.”

Ramaphosa left Malema with the words “Let’s respect each other.”

Some Members of Parliament (MPs) also used the debate to hurl insults at each other.

EFF MP, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, addressed DA leader and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, as a matriculant in defence of MK Party caucus leader, John Hlophe.

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, didn’t miss the opportunity to refer to Ndlozi as an ‘Ice boy’.

Ramaphosa has urged the Government of National Unity (GNU) not to allow their work to be derailed by sowers of disunity.

He says the policies pursued and implemented to better the lives of South Africans are not the property of any political party.

“We will, therefore, each of us, equally advance and promote the positions and decisions of the Government of National Unity.”

“I have said to my colleagues in the Executive that there should be no competition among parties to the Government of National Unity (GNU) to outdo each other or lay claim to the policies that we collectively adopt.”

The President also used his response to borrow from the words of Scopa chairperson and Rise Mzansi leader, Songezo Zibi, saying: “urgency is the currency of the times in which we now live.”

The work of the 7th administration is already in full swing, and members of the National Executive are already showing their weight.

Written by: Lindiwe Mpanza

Rate it

0%