The State of the Nation Address (SONA 2019) is only a couple of days away and South Africans are waiting with baited breath to hear what President Cyril Ramaphosa will prioritise this year.
This particular SONA is critical for three reasons:
- This is the last address by Ramaphosa, who in technical terms, is the outgoing president of South Africa;
- this SONA occurs 25 years into South Africa's democracy; and
- it is expected that Ramaphosa will announce the date of the 2019 general elections.
In greater context, 2018 was possibly one of the most volatile year for modern South African politics. This is not to undermine the turmoil we saw in Kwa-Zulu Natal pre-1994 but the political landscape was, without a doubt, shaken last year.
Former president, Jacob Zuma, was, after many years of court trials, failed motions of no confidence and other forms of impeachment, forced out of his presidency.
President Ramaphosa was sworn in as the country's interim head of state. We saw an advancement in the land expropriation debate. Zondo's commission lifted the lid on corruption in government and an economy that limped out of a technical recession.
These are burning issues that Ramaphosa will have to extend on at his much-anticipated SONA 2019 address.
For the most part, the president has used his snake oil sales skills to lure the attention of wary foreign investors. It will take a lot more than that to convince South Africa, however.
These are the five main talking points we believe Ramaphosa will address at the SONA 2019:
1. Unemployment
The pressing matter for Ramaphosa and his Cabinet is addressing the issue of unemployment in South Africa.
We have one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, with more than 27% of South Africans unable to enter the job market.
The problem is a toxic mixture of complexities the government faces in the sphere of education, industry and in SMME investment.
Ramaphosa, who has been making headway in his goal to raise R100-billion, is expected to deliver cutting edge ideas about how the government will address this issue in 2019.
2. Foreign investment
This will be one of the positives he will rely on, if he is allowed enough time to address the country without disruption from opposition parties.
Ramaphosa's investment drive has, at face-value, held some promise. However, a country functions on a lot more practicality than that. We expect Ramaphosa to reveal the full extent of the investments he has attracted so far and how these will:
- a) be utilised;
- b) be safeguarded and kept away from the clutches of the corrupt; and
- c) what the terms and conditions of the investments are/
3. Infrastructure development
The issue of infrastructure has been a hindrance in attracting investment in South Africa and the president is aware of that.
It will be interesting to know where he will prioritise the improvements of our infrastructure.
Eskom is barely able to stand on its own two feet and on the verge of collapse. South African Airways (SAA) can barely lift off without the weight of rising debt constantly pulling it down. And, just about everything else stands on shaky grounds.
Ramaphosa has, however, assured stakeholders and South Africans that this is an area he will focus on as a short-term goal.
4. Land expropriation without compensation
The flames have died down a little since it dawned on us that, more than likely, Section 25 of the Constitution will be amended to allow for the expropriation of land without compensation.
Ramaphosa will touch on this once again but we feel it will be directed at reassuring foreign investors more than anything.
Interested investors in the country have raised concerns about the dangers of seeing such a complex process through without diminishing the values of the constitution.
However, Ramaphosa has never shown a shred of doubt in assuring the public that this would be a smooth process. It will be interesting to hear how this government plans to phase this in as an inclusive process that does not hinder the rights of anyone.
5. Corruption and accountability
This was placed last because it will most likely cause the most disruption at the SONA 2019.
EFF leader, Julius Malema, set the tone when, at a recent media briefing, he gave Ramaphosa until Thursday, 31 January, to respond to their demands regarding he and his son's involvement with Bosasa, or deal with the wrath of the red berets at SONA 2019.
Of course, the president did not jump at that ultimatum. However, Ramaphosa has the crucial task of meticulously detailing how he will deal with the revelations that have been made at the state capture inquiry.
He has the tough task of putting servants of his Cabinet on the spotlight to reassure South Africans, as well as on-looking foreign stakeholders, about accountability.
This could either make or break proceedings and it is something he is well aware of.
When is SONA 2019 and where can I watch it?
The SONA 2019 will take place on Thursday, 7 February. The entire political landscape will flock to Cape Town for an evening that will be remembered for its antics and wild outfits
Every South African news outlet will be broadcasting the event live. We will also host a live stream and blog of the entire event.
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