President Cyril Ramaphosa
By Natalie Naidoo
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2025 on Thursday, 6 February 2025, at 19:00, marking a pivotal moment in South Africa’s political and economic landscape. The address, set to be delivered from the Cape Town City Hall, will outline government priorities for the year ahead, tackling key issues such as economic growth, job creation, service delivery, and governance under the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The 2025 SONA will be the first under the seventh administration’s GNU, following the historic 29 May 2024 elections. It will provide a roadmap for the country’s progress, reflecting on challenges faced and achievements made in the past year. South Africans will tune in with great anticipation, eager to hear the President’s plans to address the rising cost of living, unemployment, and infrastructure challenges.
South Africa at 30: Reflecting on Three Decades of Democracy
This year’s SONA is significant as South Africa commemorates 30 years of democracy. Since the dawn of democratic rule in 1994, the country has made significant strides in education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and economic empowerment. However, major challenges persist, including high unemployment, economic inequality, energy security, and social unrest.
President Ramaphosa is expected to reflect on the progress made while acknowledging areas where government interventions have fallen short. In his New Year’s Eve address, he emphasized the need for urgency and purpose in tackling poverty, inequality, and unemployment, urging South Africans to look ahead with hope and resilience.
Economic Outlook and Reforms
The South African economy has faced slow growth, high unemployment, and fiscal constraints in recent years. However, signs of recovery emerged in 2024, with the country achieving its first primary budget surplus in 15 years.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), South Africa’s GDP growth is expected to accelerate from an estimated 0.8% in 2024 to 1.5% in 2025, driven by improved electricity generation, monetary policy easing, and a resurgence in investor and consumer confidence post-elections.
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) recently reduced its main lending rate to 7.50%, signaling an effort to boost economic activity. However, private sector activity remains sluggish, with the S&P Global South Africa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) declining to 47.4 in January 2025, reflecting contractions in new orders and output.
While government reforms in banking, infrastructure, and industrialization are welcomed, the rising public debt and slow pace of economic transformation remain concerns. The 2025 SONA is expected to focus on strategies to accelerate economic growth, attract foreign direct investment, and boost local production.
G20 Presidency: A Historic Moment for South Africa
A key highlight of the 2025 SONA will be South Africa’s role as the President of the Group of 20 (G20), having assumed the leadership on 1 December 2024 under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.
This historic G20 Summit, scheduled for November 2025, will be the first ever hosted on African soil. South Africa’s presidency follows Brazil’s leadership in 2024 and aligns with the admission of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20.
President Ramaphosa is expected to outline South Africa’s global economic agenda, focusing on financial stability, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation. The hosting of the G20 Summit is expected to boost South Africa’s international profile and attract investment to drive economic recovery.
Legislative Priorities: Expropriation Bill and Employment Equity
Over the past year, government has passed key legislation aimed at advancing economic and social transformation:
• Expropriation Bill: Signed into law in January 2025, this legislation allows for land expropriation in the public interest, aligning with Section 25 of the Constitution. While the law has sparked controversy internationally, with the United States raising concerns, South Africa insists it is not a confiscation tool but a mechanism to promote equitable land reform.
• Employment Equity Amendment Act: Came into effect on 1 January 2025, easing regulatory burdens on small businesses to promote job creation and economic participation.
• Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act: Expected to reform South Africa’s education system, ensuring more equitable access to learning resources.
These legislative measures are expected to feature prominently in the 2025 SONA, as government outlines strategies for implementation and impact assessment.
Infrastructure Development and Energy Security
The stabilization of the electricity grid has been a major focus for Eskom and government stakeholders. November 2024 marked the longest period of uninterrupted power supply in five years, with over 240 consecutive days without load shedding.
This improvement is attributed to:
• The Energy Action Plan (2022)
• Eskom’s Generation Recovery Plan
• Increased private sector participation in renewable energy
• Improved coal fleet maintenance and procurement efficiency
However, logistics bottlenecks in freight, rail, and port operations remain a challenge, impacting export capacity and trade efficiency. The President is expected to announce further reforms to Transnet and Eskom, ensuring continued stability in South Africa’s infrastructure sector.
Social Development and Employment
Despite improvements, unemployment remains a significant issue, particularly among the youth. Projections indicate the unemployment rate could rise to 33.2% in 2025 as job creation lags behind labor force growth.
Key government interventions include:
• Expansion of the Public Employment Programme
• Increased funding for entrepreneurship and SME development
• Strengthening of TVET and skills development programmes
• Enhanced youth employment incentives and learnerships
SONA 2025 is expected to introduce additional measures to boost employment and social support mechanisms.
Security and Crime Reduction Efforts
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has ramped up efforts to combat crime, deploying over 20,000 new constables across the country. Initiatives such as Operation Shanela and Operation Vala Umgodi have yielded results, with a 5.1% decrease in serious crimes between July-September 2024.
The 2025 SONA will highlight further strategies to address crime hotspots, gender-based violence, and illegal mining activities.
Jacob Zuma’s SONA Attendance: Political Tensions Rise
In a controversial move, former President Jacob Zuma has been invited to attend SONA 2025 as a leader of the MK Party, a newly formed political movement. The Speaker of the NCOP confirmed his attendance, signaling rising political tensions within the GNU.
Zuma’s presence at SONA could spark debate over his ongoing legal battles and influence within opposition circles. His break from the ANC to establish the MK Party remains one of the most significant political shifts in post-apartheid South Africa.
The EFF, DA, and other opposition parties are expected to react strongly to his attendance, raising concerns over accountability, governance stability, and the GNU’s ability to function cohesively.
Public Expectations and the Road Ahead
As South Africans tune in for the 2025 SONA, expectations are high for bold, decisive leadership. The nation is looking for clear solutions to pressing challenges, including:
• Job creation and economic growth
• Electricity and infrastructure stability
• Crime reduction and community safety
• Social development and youth empowerment
• Political stability and governance transparency
President Ramaphosa faces the monumental task of balancing competing interests within the GNU, while ensuring policy implementation aligns with public needs.
🔴 Central News Special Edition | Issue 091 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: Ndlozi on Ramaphosa: “He’s Not What We Were Told” – A Surprising Change in Tone”
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