Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen acknowledged that work done by the Government of National Unity (GNU) is having a positive impact, crediting the DA with “injecting competence, fiscal discipline, and pro-growth policies” into a system long “weighed down by mismanagement and cadre deployment”.

Steenhuisen was speaking during the debate on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address in Parliament, where he said the country’s economy was growing again, having registered four consecutive quarters of positive GDP growth, a feat he said seemed unimaginable not long ago.

“Under the Government of National Unity, we have achieved real, tangible progress. And let me be clear: much of this progress bears the unmistakable imprint of the Democratic Alliance’s principled participation, our relentless push for reform, and our unapologetic focus on what works for the people of this country,” he claimed.

He pointed out that the GNU had delivered two consecutive primary budget surpluses, stabilising the national debt and earning improved credit ratings. Interest rates were easing, borrowing costs were declining, and the rand had strengthened, he added.

“Investor confidence is returning, with the JSE showing strong gains and South Africa having exited the FATF grey list,” he explained.

He noted that while government celebrated these achievements, complacency could not be afforded.

“At projected growth rates of around 1.5%, it falls far short of the 3% or more needed to lift millions out of poverty and create the millions of jobs our young people desperately require,” he said.

Steenhuisen wants government to accelerate economic liberalisation and private sector involvement.

He said Operation Vulindlela had delivered results in energy and ports, now it must be extended decisively to rail, water, and telecommunications.

He wants restrictive black economic empowerment policies replaced, with genuine broad-based empowerment that includes skills, ownership, and opportunity for all, not just the connected few.

“We must replace failing race-based empowerment frameworks with ones that tackle poverty. The DA’s ‘Economic Inclusion for All’ Bill represents a significant step toward achieving a vision of genuine economic empowerment for all South Africans and is the type of reform our country urgently needs,” he said.

Steenhuisen wants government to outlaw cadre deployment, appointing on merit to hold officials accountable and root out corruption.

“…competence must determine who runs our cities and towns so that our people are served by their local government, not the other way around,” he explained.

He said government must double down on job creation and youth opportunity.

It must expand successful models but pair them with real structural changes: ease labour market rigidities that deter hiring and incentivise businesses to employ more South Africans, he explained.

Steenhuisen said crime must be tacked, welcoming the deployment of the South African National Defence Force by Ramaphosa.

He explained that the deployment need “sustained, intelligence-led policing, faster courts, and communities empowered to partner with devolved law enforcement closer to the people”.

Steenhuisen also urged government to recommit to the GNU’s founding promise: stability for reform, not reform stalled by politics.