Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address has been welcomed by political parties with some describing it as "fantastic".
Jackson Mthembu, the ANC's national spokesperson told BuaNews that Zuma's speech, whose main thrust was job creation, spoke to practical issues. "Indeed that was what the ANC was expecting. Zuma has set the parameters on what was supposed to be done to create jobs and the ministers will drill on what he said."
Pinky Mncube, a Gauteng MP affiliated to the ANC, said she was happy because despite 15 million people depending on grants, Zuma had outlined the difference between a social state and a developmental state.
She said Zuma had said that he was not happy with people depending on grants and he wanted to end the culture of depending on the government.
Minister of Sports and Recreation Fikile Mbalula said the President`s address was "fantastic".
"It was not about slogans. It was very practical. There were no theories," said Mbalula.
Cosatu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the speech sent "all good signals of where we are going." But he said that he was worried about the capacity of the state to deliver on its promises.
Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder welcomed the relief assistance to be provided to those farms affected by floods. He also agreed with Zuma on prioritising job creation.
South African National Civic Organization (Sango) President, Ruth Bhengu, said for the first time Zuma had made a "tangible attempt to focus on job creation."
