OVERVIEW: 16 quotes that made MPs roar, laugh and sigh during the #SonaDebate
1. The DA remains the epitome of white male privilege - ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu
2. EFF bullies have no place in our democracy - Mthembu
3. Watch your back, DA chief whip John Steenhuisen cautions President Cyril Ramaphosa
4. Where is Ramaphosa's 'Thuma Mina' for struggling students, asks the DA's Yusuf Cassim
5. DA challenges Ramaphosa to crack the whip on ministers Nomvula Mokonyane and Gwede Mantashe; and MP Vincent Smith
6. EFF leader Julius Malema threatens to shut down Independent Power Producers if Eskom is privatised
7. "It’s my maiden speech, nobody must heckle," Mantashe tells Parliament
8. 'Bosasa!' opposition MPs shout as Mantashe goes to the podium
9. "You will remain the President who had no backbone..." - DA MP Phumzile van Damme to Ramaphosa
10. "She [Naledi Pandor] only acts clever. I am not going to be like the Honorable Willie Madisha and say 'hong hong hong'" - Cassim
11. "As a Muslim, I object to the pig sounds made to me," responds Pandor
12. "Medupi and Kusile were badly designed and badly constructed" - Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan
13. "President, do not send these criminals to Parliament, send them to jail," - the DA's Natasha Mazzone on state capture
14. "I am ashamed, as a black South African, that our government has failed to do what even an oppressive colonial government did. Not a single traditional council or house of traditional leaders is allocated a budget" - IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi
15. "For whatever is left of my life, that broken promise will be the knife in my heart" - Buthelezi on a signed 1994 Memorandum of Agreement with Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk
16. "If now you promise the sun, moon and stars, and again fail to deliver, South Africa will go up in flames" - Buthelezi about the ANC's broken promises
ICYMI: You can watch how the debate unfolded here:
Improvements are evident at the TVET colleges. Placing NSFAS under administration was a positive move. Prior to the Dec 2017 announcement of free education for the poor and working class students, funding of the system had not kept up with enrollments.
University fees had become increasingly unaffordable and still are, hence the need for a regulatory framework. We had insufficient funding to support young people in higher education hence the situation we confront today of just over a billion rands in debt.
At universities, the current average full cost of studying is about R90 000 a year. We provide R50 000 for registration and tuition fees and R40 000 for allowances that are books, meals, accommodation and transport.
At colleges, the current full cost of studying is about R50 000 a year. R10 000 for registration and tuition fees and R40 000 for allowances. This year, government is providing R30.8bn in grants to support over 750 000 young people in post-secondary education.
es, there are gaps and challenges. We need more university and college places, we need partnerships from the private sector, we need more young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
For now, we ask students from families in higher income brackets to support our cause by funding higher education for their children when they have the means to do so. We ask businesses, philanthropists and foundations to assist us in this endeavor.
#Pandor For the first time ever, student registration and NSFAS eligibility are tandem and many students have already received their allowances. R170 million was transferred to WSU on 21 January and a further R40 million will be transferred tomorrow. #SONADebate
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) February 12, 2019
It is imperative that we do not allow any person to hijack legitimate protest for political mischief.
I am pleased that students and management are talking to and resolving issues and working together to address the obstacles confronted by students.
Minister @NalediPandor after being heckled by @Julius_S_Malema about supporting Zuma previously: “At least I can hold my head up high, I didn’t say I’d die for anybody.” #SONADebate @TeamNews24
— Jan Gerber (@gerbjan) February 12, 2019
The last speaker on the podium Cde Naledi Pandor (NA), Minister of Higher Education and Training. #SONADebate pic.twitter.com/8VeBoj5kEJ
— ANC Parliament (@ANCParliament) February 12, 2019
DA chief whip @jsteenhuisen to President @CyrilRamaphosa: “You said ‘watch this space’, we say watch your back!” #SONADebate @TeamNews24
— Jan Gerber (@gerbjan) February 12, 2019
That awkward moment when you go to the ANC website to try and find their policies...
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) February 12, 2019
"This site cannot be reached. https://t.co/ADJao0Y8Ug server address cannot be found."#SONAdebate pic.twitter.com/J4evEqcm1r
.@jsteenhuisen details how every single lofty plan that President Ramaphosa has for the future of South Africa will be stopped, not by the opposition, but by his own political party, and their alliance partners.#SONAdebate pic.twitter.com/VA2b3BIpD3
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) February 12, 2019
"Your critics may sit on the [DA] benches, but your enemies sit on the [ANC] benches.
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) February 12, 2019
Your message to us, Mr President, is "watch this space". Our message to you is "watch your back"." - @jsteenhuisen#SONAdebate pic.twitter.com/B9cfIpREZ9
DA Chief Whip @jsteenhuisen details the reasons why the ANC cannot fight the scourge of crime in South Africa.
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) February 12, 2019
They are completely out of touch!
"There 81 presidential protection officers for ever single ONE of the 17 politicians that they protect." pic.twitter.com/ct9RLIcJ4g
Nkosazana Dlamini says the ANC is an honest organisation. But the reality is that the whole ANC cabal is corrupt to the core.
It's time for you Mr President to tackle of crime ferociously. Your ministers are accepting bribes and no action is taken.
Our Chief Whip, @jsteenhuisen is on the podium to respond to President Ramaphosa's #SONA2019 in Parliament!
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) February 12, 2019
Watch live: https://t.co/cNvBtRpjBI#SONADebate
We must continue to strive for a healthy and safe workplace. Hence renewed focus on the goal of zero harm at work; reaffirmed at the Mine Health and Safety Summit in 2018.
A healthy and safe workplace is good for workers, investors and the economy.