Some failed to see change

President Jacob Zuma took a swipe at opposition parties on Thursday, saying some of them failed to see South Africa had changed greatly over the past 20 years.

Speaking at the end of debate in the National Council of Provinces, following his earlier address to the House on the theme "Celebrating 20 years of a Democratic Parliament", he welcomed those who, he said, had appreciated its objectives.

"But, as always, there will be those who do not appreciate it. It is based on their historical background, in the majority of cases. Some people have not seen the change, because nothing has changed to them; the situation has been like this all the time."

Zuma said those who recognised the change appreciated the fact that South Africa had moved forward.

He then suggested that those who had not, remained an obstacle to progress.

"When I was a leader of government business, some few years ago, I used to advise the opposition that... all of us are looking for a prosperous South Africa...

"But once you fail to appreciate what an opposition should be, and you can't be constructive, then you can't help us in constructing South Africa. You'll always be an obstacle," he said.

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