There was lively debate in Parliament on Thursday, after President Jacob Zuma’s maiden State of the Nation Address.

Zuma highlighted issues including unemployment, poverty, crime and the state of the country's healthcare systems in his speech on Wednesday.

While there was praise for the Zuma-led government’s plans opposition Members of Parliament said details were lacking.

Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Athol Trollip questioned how Zuma could promise action against corruption and appoint MPs implicated in the Travelgate scandal.

He said Zuma's fine words must translate into action.

"There are immediate concerns that this noble intend is being undermined right here in the parliamentary committees by the appointment of people to positions of public authority that obviously do no espouse these values, people who have actually defrauded Parliament," said Trollip.

Meanwhile, Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille said she will sing mshini wam with Zuma but only if he kept his promise to axe ministers who did not perform.

"It is our hope that you will become the first president to fire a minister for incompetence and failure to spend their budgets. This is one time 'Mshini Wam' will be relevant and we in the Independent Democrats we will be prepared to sing with you Mr. President," said de Lille.

Eyewitness News

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