During the debate of the State of the Province Address (Sopa) in Mmabatho on Tuesday (4/3), DA leader Freddy Sonakile sharply criticised the president’s analogy of Tintswalo – a character used to symbolise the supposed benefits of democracy under the ANC.

Cyril Ramaphosa first introduced the Tintswalo metaphor in his State of the Nation Address last year, portraying her as a product of a better South Africa. He described her as benefiting from the ANC’s governance through access to housing, water, electricity, education, and a society shaped by progressive laws.

Harsh circumstances Tintswalo would truly face

However, Sonakile painted a starkly different reality, arguing that many in North West – especially the youth – continue to struggle under ANC rule. What was meant to be a celebration of ANC achievements instead left a bitter taste, as Sonakile highlighted the harsh circumstances Tintswalo would truly face.

Sonakile said Tintswalo “does not spend her day reminiscing about apartheid but rather reads about it in history books”. Her real struggle, he argued, comes from living under 30 years of ANC governance.

He described how Tintswalo’s father worked for NTI, a government entity plagued by corruption and mismanagement due to ANC cadre deployment. According to Sonakile, the entity had not paid its employees for months because government funds were unaccounted for.

He further described a young woman who grew up on child grants, attended a school with asbestos roofing, and relied heavily on a government-funded scholar transport system that barely functioned. The buses were in disrepair, and ghost projects were certified by the government without ever being completed.

“Her village, Modimong, was sold a dream in 2018 when the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism spent R1 million on a business plan and feasibility study that promised 51 jobs and local economic growth.

“Today, that plan is gathering dust in a government office – just another grand ANC promise that led to nothing. No jobs. No economic growth. Just another expensive fantasy project that lined a few pockets while leaving Tintswalo and her community with absolutely nothing.”

Sonakile continued, saying that Tintswalo made it to university through NSFAS but still went to bed hungry. Government incompetence meant stipends were delayed or nonexistent. Even after graduating, she found herself unemployed, a reflection of the youth unemployment crisis in North West.

According to Sonakile, Tintswalo’s journey did not end with a successful career but rather as another statistic in the province’s rising unemployment rate.

His sharpest critique was a visit Tintswalo made to Mahikeng in April, where hundreds of young people were promised jobs through a “smart city project”. All they received was a free concert by Makhadzi, which Sonakile sarcastically described as the ANC’s idea of job creation. Tintswalo returned home broke, hungry, and betrayed by empty promises.

North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi during the SOPA debate held at the provincial legislature. Photo: Facebook 

Sonakile also accused the ANC of turning job opportunities into platforms for abuse, stating that when Tintswalo sought work through the expanded public works programme, she was forced to endure the sexual exploitation of a local ANC councillor in exchange for a job.

“She is still unemployed,” Sonakile remarked, “and guess what? There are many Tintswalos out there. Not because of apartheid, but because of the ANC-led government in North West.”

He accused the ANC of systematically excluding, exploiting, and oppressing the people of the province for the past 30 years. While the people of North West still have the right to vote, their socio-economic rights have been ‘trampled on’ under ANC rule.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg