By: Natasha Archary
Small business owners and residents in Meadowlands, Soweto don’t have much faith in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2023.
Speaking to Kaya News reporters, several business owners say they are struggling due to the ongoing rolling blackouts, high levels of crime and a lack of government subsidies, to keep their business afloat.
Many don’t expect to hear the President mention anything beneficial to them at this evening’s SONA address.
One business owner, Siphiwe Deiker said it’s going to be another address full of empty promises which amounts to nothing over the year.
Listen to a Meadlowlands resident’s views on the SONA 2023 address:
Last year, Ramaphosa gave small business owners hope that a small business loan scheme would be introduced which would buffer the tough post-Covid 19 recovery.
But Meadowlands business owners say a year later it’s still every man for themselves with zero input from government.
Meanwhile, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) says President Ramaphosa needs to prioritise and outline plans on how to address the unemployment crisis.
The union says like most South Africans, Saftu has also lost hope in the ability of Ramaphosa to turn the state of the country around.
Saftu’s Trevor Shaku says the energy crisis, corruption and poverty should dominate the President’s address this year.
Also read: Bulelani Qolani sues City of Cape Town for dragging him naked from his home
