GNU endorses Ramaphosa's Sona and claims collective wins

Deployment of SANDF to gang areas welcomed

- By Queenin Masuabi

Thursday evening’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) by President Cyril Ramaphosa has emerged as the first to secure broad backing from government of national unity (GNU) partners, after a drafting process shaped by negotiations and direct input from coalition leaders.

Unlike previous Sona speeches, crafted around ANC policy positions, this year’s address was forged through compromise and bargaining among parties that only months ago campaigned against one another.

Ramaphosa met leaders of the 10 GNU partners on Wednesday, presenting what was described as the seventh draft of the speech and inviting final inputs. Several coalition partners told Sunday World that key elements reflected proposals advanced during GNU leadership discussions over the past year.