State of the Nation 'terrible news' - body

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation address was terrible news for both the environment and the goal of eradicating poverty, Earthlife Africa said on Friday.

"The president's support for reducing the time-frames and writing out public participation in the fast-tracking of environmental impact assessments for strategic investment projects and mines undermines the democratic gains made in environmental legislation since 1994," said spokesperson Tristen Taylor in a statement.

"South Africa would not be able to eradicate poverty and build hospitals if Zuma was true to his word on concluding the procurement of 9 600 megawatts of nuclear energy."

He said this immediate procurement was not supported by the National Development Plan, the National Planning Commission, or the energy department's draft energy plan, and would cost the public over R1trn.

"There will be no funds for South Africa's poverty eradication goals or health care improvements if this procurement goes ahead," said Taylor.

Zuma delivered his State of the Nation address in Parliament on Thursday.