Parliament - Leaders of political parties on Thursday debated President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address in Parliament.
Mr Zuma delivered his maiden State of the Nation Address on Wednesday placing emphasis on poverty alleviation and improved education, health care employment and South Africa's response to the global economic crisis.
African National Congress Chief Whip Mathole Motshekga, said the speech was practical and in line with the party's election promises.
"It is about confirming that commitment to implementation of what we said we would do," said Mr Motshekga.
He said President Zuma had recognised the people's desires for a better life and that the current rain being experienced in Cape Town should be seen as a symbol of the renewal that South Africa was entering.
Parliamentary leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), Athol Trollip, welcomed the speech, saying it was positive. The President had pressed a number of right buttons with regard to accountability, education and the independence of the judiciary, he said.
However, he said he wanted to see implementation.
Mr Trollip said the DA was available to partner with the ruling party to improve the lives of the millions of South Africans.
"The party I represent commits itself to partnering with government to building this country into one that is successful and unified," he told the National Assembly, where President Zuma was in attendance.
Mr Trollip said the DA was positive about Mr Zuma's proposed job creation plan.
"Despite President Zuma's intimation that his first State of the Nation Address would revolve around the theme of 'culture of continuity', in truth, it was marked by a very particular and distinct ideological shift towards a socialist agenda."
Mr Trollip, however, was concerned that there was no talk of reducing the bureaucratic red tape which was stifling small enterprises and labour regulation and urged that the jobs which are to be created are of "real value", rather than being merely political appointments.
Congress of the People President, Mvume Dandala, described the speech as a "wish list" and said that President Zuma had not given a clear indication of how he planned to deliver on the promises the ANC had made during the election campaign.
"This is not the time to ask people what they want - you have to deliver," he said.
Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said President Zuma's address was an expression of intent, rather than a detailed programme of action.
However, he praised the President's intention to uplift the poor. "That resonates very well with us," he said.
He said Mr Zuma had made many pledges that would need to be carefully monitored and evaluated - but he supported plans to extend the Expanded Public Works Programme, which the government intends to use to help create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
In his State of the Nation Address, President Zuma outlined the new path for government for the next five years. Watched by former Presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, President Zuma also promised to stay the course.
However, he cautioned that the economic downturn will affect the pace at which South Africa is able to address its social and economic challenges. Despite this he said it will not alter the direction of the country's development.
Mr Zuma also promised to hold Cabinet ministers accountable through established targets and output measures starting from next month. He also promised to move towards a more interactive government with the Presidency taking the lead.
