President Ramaphosa Unveils Bold Vision For South Africa's Future In 2025 SONA
- President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the historic Cape Town City Hall
- Ramaphosa took the nation on a journey through the challenges and milestones achieved by his administration since his last address
- The president emphasized the collaborative efforts of the Government of National Unity (GNU) following the May 29 general elections
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — The entire nation sat on the edge of its seat as President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the highly anticipated State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of Parliament in Cape Town on Thursday, February 6, 2025. This pivotal moment offered a window into the administration's vision for the future, addressing the pressing issues facing the nation and outlining a roadmap for progress.
Themed "A nation that works, for all," this address marked the beginning of the seventh administration and provided a comprehensive overview of South Africa's political, social, and economic landscape under the newly formed multi-party government. It was a moment of unity and resolve, reflecting the country's aspirations for a brighter tomorrow.
Ramaphosa's Vision for South Africa's Future
With confidence and clarity, President Ramaphosa outlined the government’s key policy objectives for the year ahead during a speech that flowed seamlessly without interruption. He candidly acknowledged the challenges his administration has faced while presenting innovative solutions to tackle the nation's most pressing issues. His remarks were a testament to the resilience and determination of the South African people.
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In reflecting on the progress made since his 2024 SONA address, Ramaphosa highlighted significant milestones, including the implementation of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP). This ambitious plan has been instrumental in driving economic growth and creating jobs across the country. Additionally, he praised the work of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group, which was established in April 2024 to address service delivery challenges and boost investor confidence in the region.
Opening his address, the president paid tribute to the 14 valiant members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who lost their lives during a tragic attack by the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) militia in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) city of Goma just a week prior. Their sacrifice underscored the importance of peacekeeping efforts and the nation's commitment to global stability.
Turning his focus to the country's economic landscape, Ramaphosa addressed the intensifying competition in global trade, technology, and influence. He emphasized the need for South Africa, as a developing economy, to navigate these challenges with resilience and ingenuity. In a bold statement, he also took a subtle jab at his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, reaffirming South Africa's unwavering stance against external pressures.
“There are profound global shifts underway that impact every aspect of human life. From the escalating effects of climate change to the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), geopolitical tensions, and devastating conflicts, the world is changing at an unprecedented pace.”
“But we are not intimidated; we will not be deterred. We are a resilient people who will not be bullied. Together, we will stand as a united nation.”
This declaration came in response to Trump’s recent threat to cut funding to South Africa due to alleged "racist laws," particularly the controversial land reform measures. Ramaphosa reiterated the importance of land reform as a means to address historical injustices and promote economic equality.
He also underscored the formation of the National Unity Government (GNU) following the May 29 general elections, highlighting the spirit of cooperation that defines this new era of governance.
“We have formed a GNU — a government guided by the desires of the people as expressed in the 2024 elections — to amplify our culture of collaboration. As political parties, we have set aside our differences and agreed to work together for the greater good of all South Africans.”
“Recently, we adopted the Medium Term Development Plan, which outlines an ambitious and targeted program for the next five years. The actions outlined in this plan will focus on three strategic priorities: driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and addressing the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.”
A Blueprint for Economic Growth and Public Service Reform
President Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of growing the economy to create jobs, reduce poverty, and improve the lives of citizens. To achieve these goals, the government aims to strengthen the role of the Public Service Commission in appointing key positions within state-owned entities (SOEs) and other critical institutions. This move is particularly timely given the challenges faced by municipalities across the country, which are grappling with corruption, maladministration, and poor audit reports.
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The 2022/2023 municipal audit report, presented by Auditor General Tsakani Maluleke to Parliament in August 2024, revealed that only 34 out of 257 municipalities received a clean audit — a decline from the previous year. Addressing this issue, Ramaphosa announced plans to introduce a graduate recruitment scheme to attract top talent into the public service.
“We will introduce a graduate recruitment scheme to attract the best and brightest into the public service. In many cities and towns across South Africa, roads are not maintained, water and electricity supply is disrupted, refuse is not collected, and sewage runs in the streets. This has happened partly because many municipalities lack the necessary technical skills and resources to provide efficient service delivery.”
“We will review municipalities' funding models, as many do not have a viable or sustainable revenue base. We will expand our support to municipalities requiring assistance, using lessons learned from the Presidential eThekwini Working Group.”
The government established the Working Group to support and accelerate the eThekwini Municipality's efforts to improve service delivery, restore business confidence, and reposition the region as a premier investment and tourism destination. Ramaphosa praised the progress made in eThekwini, where the district development model has enabled collaboration among key stakeholders, including government, business, labor, and community groups.
“We are seeing significant progress in eThekwini as we implement the district development model, which brings all key role players together. As we work to reform the public service and build the state's capability, we will harness technology to transform the way government operates.”
Infrastructure Investment: A Catalyst for Growth
President Ramaphosa emphasized the government's commitment to achieving substantial economic growth through massive new infrastructure investment. This includes upgrading and maintaining existing infrastructure to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population.
“We are engaging with local and international financial institutions and investors to unlock R100 billion in infrastructure financing. The government has launched a project preparation bid window to fast-track investment readiness.”
“The government will spend more than R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years, including R375 billion by state-owned companies. This investment will revitalize roads and bridges, enable the construction of dams, modernize ports and airports, and accelerate economic growth.”
Among the notable infrastructure projects is the construction of the Mtentu Bridge, which will rise above the river between Port Edward and Lusikisiki, making it the tallest bridge in Africa. Ramaphosa also commended Eskom for its efforts in reducing load shedding, noting that the Energy Action Plan has significantly decreased the frequency and severity of power outages since March 2024.
“The measures implemented through the Energy Action Plan have reduced the severity and frequency of load shedding, with more than 300 days without load shedding since March 2024. While we remain on a positive trajectory, the recent return of load shedding for two days serves as a reminder that our energy supply is still constrained.”
“We must put the risk of load shedding behind us by reforming our energy system to ensure long-term energy security. The Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, which came into effect on January 1, is a game-changer that will pave the way for a competitive electricity market, allowing for the emergence of multiple electricity generation entities.”
Addressing Water Shortages and Other Key Issues
Water scarcity remains a pressing issue in many parts of the country, including Johannesburg, where aging infrastructure has contributed to frequent water shortages. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Ramaphosa outlined a comprehensive plan to ensure a secure and reliable water supply for all South Africans.
“An urgent priority is to ensure a secure and reliable water supply. Many people in our cities, towns, and villages are experiencing increasingly frequent water shortages due to failed water infrastructure. Water is essential for life, and without it, the economy cannot grow. Therefore, we are taking decisive actions to resolve this crisis and investing heavily in expanding our water resources.”
“The Infrastructure Fund has secured R23 billion for seven large water infrastructure projects. Within the next year, we will complete the establishment of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency to unlock greater investment in water projects. Through the Water Services Amendment Bill, we will introduce a licensing system for water service providers and revoke licenses where providers fail to meet the standards for quality drinking water.”
Other key items on the government's reform agenda include enhancing the visa system, empowering Black people, women, and persons with disabilities, and establishing a transformation fund worth R20 billion annually over the next five years to support Black-owned and small business enterprises.
Through the National Skills Fund Disabilities Programme, launched in November 2024, the initiative aims to empower over 10,000 persons with disabilities through tailored training programs and stipends.
South Africa's youth unemployment rate continues to be a major concern, with 45.5% of people aged 15 to 34 unemployed in the third quarter of 2024. Ramaphosa reported that the National Pathway Management Network provided as many as 235,000 work opportunities that year.
“We are investing in skills development for future industries to support this growth. The Jobs Boost fund has pioneered a new model that links funding for in-demand skills to successful placement and employment. We are expanding our support for small and medium enterprises and the informal economy. This includes streamlining funding for small businesses, unlocking venture capital for high-growth start-ups, and developing a regulatory environment that enables informal enterprises.”
“The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation will establish an Innovation Fund to provide venture capital to tech start-ups emerging from our higher education institutions.”
Experts Applaud R940 Billion Infrastructure Investment
In further SONA news, Briefly News reported that Ramaphosa revealed the government's plan to invest R940 billion in infrastructure over the next five years. This ambitious investment aims to spur economic growth and create jobs across the country.
To secure this funding, the government is actively working to attract R100 billion in infrastructure spending. Briefly News spoke exclusively with University of South Africa (UNISA) political analysts Prof Dirk Kotze and Prof Mlungisi Phakathi, who praised the government's commitment to infrastructure development as a catalyst for long-term economic growth.
