BY DR MASIMBA MAVAZA| The SONA, which is often broadcast, serves as a means to inform the nation about its present economic, political, and social condition.
More than a litany of the current leadership’s accomplishments whether real or imagined, the SONA is supposed to be a platform for the President to inform the nation about the state of the country and for the nation’s leader to recommend to the legislature measures which he deems important.
The annual State of the Nation address is the keynote speech by the president to the nation in which he sets out his agenda for the next year, highlights his accomplishments to the people, and shapes a political message.
It is a requirement of the constitution that the president “shall from time to time give to Nation information of the State of the Nation and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.
On the First October 2019 at Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa commenced his annual speech conveying to the country what the state of our nation is. The President’s speech is special for many reasons, a prominent one is that it marks the official start of the Parliamentary year where Members of Parliament (MP’s) act as our voices, speak on our behalf and fight the fight for the people.
The opening of Parliament is attended by both houses (National Assembly and the Senate ) and the pomp and ceremony begins with MP’s parading their fabulous ensembles down the red carpet.
Although attending a Parliamentary Committee meeting can be (at times) boring, the opening Parliamentary proceedings have been spiced up by the introduction of new political parties who have continuously challenged the decorum and status quo in the house. According to news reports, well over 4 million Zimbabweans tuned in to watch SONA 2019. If it was not for electricity problems 10 million will have checked in.
The popularity of the event has undoubtedly grown over the years, and this year was deemed to be one of the most pressing addresses since Mugabe was overthrown by the army and replaced by our current President in 2017.
The State of the Nation Address is important for all Zimbabweans because it tells us what government’s programme of action is for the year ahead. The programme of action is government’s plan for the people of Zimbabwe.
The speech is important because it makes us aware of what government is doing, everyone can become involved and also take part in government’s plan to build a better life for all, informing the citizenry about the plans to make our economy work. The situation in Zimbabwe affects all people. They look up to their members of parliament to participate strongly in the changes on their lives. These changed are cross examined in parliament.
The President addressed pertinent issues facing the country. Other issues like economy like education, job creation, infrastructure development and youth unemployment while offering solutions to the issues currently plaguing the nation.
If you did not follow what government has achieved or failed at throughout the year, the State of the Nation Address is a good way to “catch-up” and get an overview of government’s efforts and plans. This will be debated in parliament for the whole session.
The greatest feature of SONA is seeing democracy in action-when opposing parties practise their democratic right not to exit the sitting. This is where MDC A has failed its mandate.
6. The State of the Nation Address is directly linked to the Budget Speech, it gives us a good indication of where our money as tax payers will be going. How on earth will the MDC A know what to argue in the next sitting. The MDC A MPs had a democratic right to be stupid but they have no right to disadvantaged their constituencies. They must always do their work to the best interest of the constituencies.
The President highlighted new programmes people can get involved in, old programmes seeing success and innovative programmes yet to be implemented.
SONA is also the opportunity for the President to boast about the good things happening in the country, after all we need to celebrate our successes as well. It was again the time to tell us that the government now has cleared debts and that the good is near. How are the walkout MP’s be able to debate these things.
The nation needed to understand what future we are going to inherit, what will that future look like, how will government ensure an equal future for all? SONA is the roadmap to finding the answers to these questions.
If you’re not interested in the plan for the country, then you’re not allowed to complain. So watch SONA, and you’re given a free pass to complain
The MDC A parliamentarians must know that The SONA is an opportunity for the President to take stock of challenges faced by the nation but also of progress made.
The address embraces all Zimbabweans and all sectors of society and reflects the lived experience of all citizens, regardless of political persuasion. It focuses the minds and energies of all Zimbabweans on the values that bind them together and on the actions they need to take to build and sustain a shared future.
“We should make a call again to all Zimbabweans to have an interest in the SONA too.
It should be understood that it is not the political party that wins the elections which will be spelling out its direction and plans for the country. It is actually the president of the nation who is addressing, it is not a ZANU PF leader but indeed it is a leader of Zimbabwe.
Government belongs to the people of Zimbabwe and that is why it is important for citizens to take an interest in what the President is going to say.
The MDC A parliamentarians are a shame to the nation. They must be removed from the parliament. They let down their voters now they will not be able to debate positively as they do not know what was said during SONA.
Zimbabwe needs to move on and these walking out pretenders must be sanctioned seriously.