What Ramaphosa said in the 2025 State of the Nation Address

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the 2025 State of the Nation Address [SONA] at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday evening. It is the first SONA in the Government of National Unity following the National elections in May past year.

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“My Fellow South Africans. This State of the Nation Address is taking place as we celebrate 70 years since the adoption of the Freedom Charter,” said Ramaphosa.

“The Freedom Charter is the cornerstone of our democratic Constitution. It sets out a vision of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa.

“It sets out a vision of a country in which government is founded on the will of the people. Where the land is shared among those who work it. Where the people share in the country’s wealth, and all are also equal before the law.”

MAJOR POINTS FROM THE STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS DELIVERED BY CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

THRIVING ECONOMY 

“We want a nation in which prosperity and opportunity is shared by all.

“For many decades our economy has been held back by the exclusion of the vast majority of the South African people.  Black South Africans were deprived of land, of capital, of skills, of opportunities.”

“We will set up a transformation fund worth R20 billion a year over the next five years to fund black-owned and small business enterprises.

“We will fast-track the regulations of the Public Procurement Act. To ensure businesses owned by women, youth and persons with disabilities receive equitable opportunities in government contracts.”

BUILDING OF INFRASTRUCTURE

“We want a nation with a thriving economy that benefits all. We are engaging local and international financial institutions and investors to unlock R 100 billion in infrastructure financing.”

“Government will spend more than R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years. This includes R375 billion in spending by state-owned companies.

“This funding will revitalise our roads and bridges, and build dams and waterways. Modernise our ports and airports and power our economy.

“Twelve blended finance projects worth nearly R38 billion have also been approved in the last year.”