Ramaphosa's speech 'must outline the priorities of GNU'

President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address (Sona) will either expose the cracks in the government of national unity (GNU), or reveal a strong consensus among the coalition partners.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki & Itumeleng Mafisa

This is the view of political analyst Prof Theo Neethling from the University of the Free State.

Neethling said he expects Ramaphosa to discuss implementing controversial laws that are causing tension between the ANC, its coalition partners, and now with the United States government.

"The one issue is implementing National Health Insurance [NHI]. It would be interesting if he said something about the Bela [Basic Education Laws Amendment] and Expropriation Acts.

"The NHI is a major issue in the GNU and he will find a clever way to sideline it."

Neethling said that despite the ANC's responsibility for the GNU presidency, it is important to consider input from the junior partners in the GNU.

"This is going to be a GNU Sona; in other words, it must outline the priorities of the GNU.

"The question is, to what extent will this be an inclusive Sona? So, to what extent will the ANC include the ideological angles of all the other parties," he said.