Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has lavished praise on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), describing it as the president’s strongest delivery to date and pushing back against criticism from other Government of National Unity partners.
Speaking to journalists at the parliamentary precinct shortly after the address, McKenzie offered his immediate assessment.
“The state of the nation was the best that President Ramaphosa has ever given. He spoke about all the issues,” McKenzie said. “The president has delivered the best state of the nation. GNU partners that are complaining about the president’s speech, they are being very dishonest because the president was consulting with us.”
McKenzie emphasized Ramaphosa’s consultative approach, revealing that the president engaged with GNU partners at 6 p.m. the previous evening to solicit input on the speech.
“We gave our inputs and as you can hear, my inputs was there,” he said, citing specific references to the gang crisis in Cape Town and the issue of undocumented foreign nationals. “He spoke about illegal foreigners. He spoke about businesses that hire illegal foreigners. He spoke about District 6. For me, the president has truly — we have turned the corner as the GNU.”
The PA leader dismissed suggestions that the multi-party coalition is faltering, pointing to several macroeconomic indicators as evidence of progress. He highlighted the strength of the rand, record-low inflation levels, nearly 11 million tourist arrivals, the end of load shedding, and a strong matric pass rate.
“Anybody that says the GNU is not working, I can show you four things that the GNU is working,” McKenzie asserted.
When pressed on the sentiment among South Africans who feel that economic data does not translate into immediate relief, McKenzie acknowledged the president’s rare moment of candor.
“He had a frank acknowledgement today which is very rare in a leader where he said our people are still hungry, our people are still victims of crime,” McKenzie said. “We are saying we just need a little bit more time. We will sort out the problems of South Africa.”
As the interview concluded, McKenzie was asked about his attire. Jokingly deflecting a comment regarding the cost of his outfit, the minister replied, “Not enough. We need more.”
On the question of public broadcaster funding, McKenzie offered assurance that the GNU is actively addressing the matter. “The funding of the SABC, I can promise you, the GNU is very serious with that.”
McKenzie’s glowing review places him squarely in support of the presidency, signalling unity within at least one corner of the GNU amid murmurs of dissatisfaction from other coalition members following the address.