On Thursday 12 February 2015, according to Eye Witness News (EWN), President Jacob Zuma delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in South Africa despite a walkout by the DA, the expulsion off EFF MPs, and threats of court action after cell phone connectivity was cut ahead of his address, which may have prevented media from reporting on the topics discussed in a timely manner.
In a reaction to the events that occurred at SONA 2015, the government has now slammed the chaos that erupted during President Jacob Zuma’s speech. It has also rejected claims that the security forces called in Parliament acted in the interest of the ruling party instead of the state. This is according to IOL News.
While political leaders duked it out with words and fists, the African nation reached out to social media in order to have their say. Social media platform, Twitter, was set alight with many South Africans as well as Africans taking aim at the mayhem that was depicted at SONA 2015.
What do you mean ‘my parliamentary address did not go down well last night’? #SONA2015 pic.twitter.com/xLpcvIC7Vs
— Mark Pilgrim (@MarkPilgrimZA) February 13, 2015
A sad day for South Africa. #SONA2015: The day our country broke http://t.co/4wC7zHGZPq
— Beatrix (@Beatalet) February 13, 2015
Sad& angry about what happened @ #Sona2015 last night.Excessive force used 2 remove ALL members of #EFF .They were not ALL asked to leave.
— Barbara Volkwyn (@barbara_volkwyn) February 13, 2015
New series starting soon on mnet full of drama “Parliment season 1” #SONA2015
— Wayne Schutte (@wayneschutte) February 13, 2015
#SONA2015 This is how members of opposition parties are treated should they defy the ANC. Is this a democracy? https://t.co/Ju3BKjG5B8
— Rupal Jivan (@Rupal_Jivan) February 13, 2015
Chaos and Memes from #SONA2015
— Real Madridista (@nduduzo64) February 13, 2015
#SONA2015 I like the fact that we can now apply for smart ID on local banks. Much better than Home Affairs.
— bantu hlatshwayo (@mhayiseb) February 13, 2015
Can we have some clarity on the agents that removed the EFF and what their jurisdiction is?
— Poppy Ntshongwana (@PoppyIsMyName) February 13, 2015
I’m very sad to see the EFF tearing itself apart on a day that should have been historic for them.@Julius_S_Malema @Mngxitama @FloydShivambu
— Gareth Cliff (@GarethCliff) February 12, 2015
See how the camera isn’t showing what’s going on? THIS is why they needed the cell signal on. #SONA
— Nick de Bruyne (@NickdeBruyne) February 12, 2015
Are we now at the point where the rest of the world will no longer believe we are a democracy? #sona
— Gavin Mannion (@lazygamers) February 12, 2015
Tjoh! #SONA starting guns blazing. Guess I’ll pop some corn and get comfortable…
— Mabale Moloi (@MabaleMoloi) February 12, 2015
On the YouTube front, users were quick to upload videos, which depicted EFF members being thrown out of SONA 2015 as well as various scuffles that occurred during the President’s speech. According to EWN, the Democratic Alliance, led by Mmusi Maimane, walked out of the 2015 State of the Nation Address. Moments earlier the EFF was forcibly removed, which can be seen in the video below. The video was uploaded by Terri Stander on YouTube.
Staff Writer
