Trade unions have called on President Jacob Zuma to focus on the real critical challenges facing South Africa and deliver “fewer assurances of greater government spending” in his State of the Nation Address on Thursday.

Zuma’s promises of “doing more” and greater government spending held implications for under-pressure taxpayers, cultural minorities and job security, trade union Solidarity Research Institute senior researcher Piet le Roux said on Wednesday,

“The more Zuma promises to do and spend, the greater the pressure will be on the taxpayer – a pressure that will also result in increases in government debt,” he explained.

Le Roux also pointed out that, while taxpayers were prepared to pay taxes for public interest developments, there was rising scepticism among citizens, as the tax money was believed to create a culture of dependency on the State, while promoting the creation of “instant millionaires” through narrow black economic-empowerment transactions.

Solidarity claimed the funds were also used to pass and enforce “harmful” legislation and “undermine law and order” by elevating race to the most important criterion for appointments in the public service sector.

“In addition, the government undermines taxpayers’ businesses and their job security, adding further pressure on taxpayers’ ability to fulfil their financial obligations,” Le Roux explained.

“The State of the Nation Address cannot be viewed in isolation from its financial consequences,” he said.

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) wanted “effective solutions to the real problems” faced by South Africans.

Despite gains made in education, health, HIV/Aids, economic growth, job creation, income distribution, rural development, housing and access to water, sanitation and electricity, much had not changed in the townships where the majority of the nation’s citizens resided.

Spatial segregation remained problematic, high transport costs emerged for the unemployed living far from work opportunities and investment in black-dominated areas was low, said Fedusa general secretary Dennis George, raising a red flag over violent protest action over poor service delivery becoming routine, as more people become dissatisfied about the provision of drinking water, sanitation and housing.

“It is critical for the country to create opportunities by increasing exports, to develop a more competitive infrastructure, reducing the cost of living for low-income and working people, support for small businesses and the creation of a labour market that is more responsive to new economic opportunities,” he said.

Clear direction was required from government during the yearly presidential address amid mismanagement and an "assault" on public resources, resulting in "ongoing damage to the nation’s social and economic infrastructure".