This expectation stems from the previous session of Parliament, where several ministers appeared unprepared, fumbling in responses and lacking confidence in their statements. With the New Year underway, citizens are also eager for the Umbrella for Democratic Change-led (UDC) government to assert its authority and demonstrate its capability to deliver on promises. The 'post-election honeymoon' phase is over, and many are demanding tangible results from the party’s promises.
Notably, during parliamentary debates, some ministers struggled to align their responses with the UDC manifesto, highlighting the need for training in this area. Although the UDC is new in governance, it had pledged to fulfill certain promises within the first 100 days in office. As the deadline approaches, with the UDC in power, the public’s patience is being tested. One critical issue lingering over the government is employment creation, a key factor in the UDC's election victory, as many citizens had voiced their concerns over joblessness. Additionally, there is a growing call for ministers to improve their engagement with the media and adopt a more professional tone when addressing government matters. Critics have noted that some ministers respond to questions as if they were still in opposition, rather than acting as members of the Cabinet. When commenting on the matter, colleague Mpho Mokwape, expressed optimism that the retreat would help ministers acclimatise to the parliamentary environment and refine their approach to answering questions. "We hope that from the retreat, they will gain a clear understanding of how their ministries operate.
