The 'real' story of Tintswalo, as told by opposition parties

Opposition parties have used the story of Tintswalo to tell their own version of events and how the governing ANC has failed the people of South Africa.

On Thursday, 8 February 2024, during the state of the nation address (Sona), President Cyril Ramaphosa told the tale of Tintswalo, a young girl born in 1994 who, through the changes introduced by the ANC government, has benefited throughout her life and is now working and living a better life than her parents. However, opposition parties insisted that Tinstwalo lived in contrast to what Ramaphosa was trying to portray.

Leader of the Democratic Alliance John Steenhuisen said Ramaphosa’s version of Tintswalo was littered with so many mistakes and only existed in dreamland.