'It's just the same deal

Turning SA into construction site widely criticised as being unrealistic.

- Eric NakI

Are President Cyril Ramaphosa's new promises made after opening of parliament this week more of the same or do they bring fresh hope?

Civic movement United Democratic Front South Africa said many of the announcements made by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his opening of parliament address were a repetition of his 2018 promises and will not address the plight of black people.

The front's interim national chair, Jo Mboweni, reacting to the address, also said the promise to turn the country into a construction site is a pipe dream. He said 20 of the items regarded as priorities in the address had been repeated since 2018 and not much realised in that space.

Political economy analyst Daniel Silke said: "It was a neutral speech to provide a platform for the GNU to begin their work. Many were issues that we have heard about for many years.

"The pressure is on the GNU to perform in areas that had a buy-in from the parties, in particular the DA as the second-largest partner in the GNU.