The President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) tonight was an echo of past speeches—full of promises yet empty in realistic delivery. South Africans remain unconvinced.
The harsh reality is that our economy is contracting, corruption remains rampant without consequence, and critical services like education, water, and energy continue to deteriorate.
The President’s assertion that the government is targeting “at least 3% economic growth” is simply not good enough. South Africa needs a minimum of 5% sustained growth to create jobs and drive real economic transformation. Yet, nothing announced in this SONA provides a credible path to achieving even 3%.
The economy is currently contracting at -0.3% per annum, with investment confidence at an all-time low. The President failed to outline any tangible policy shift that would foster investment, improve business confidence, or stimulate job creation.
Without decisive structural reforms—such as reducing red tape for businesses, cutting excessive government spending, and tackling crime—this target is nothing more than a wishful figure.
The President made large financial commitments, from infrastructure projects to a transformation fund, totaling at least R1.5 trillion over the medium. But the reality is that the Minister of Finance will struggle to find these funds. Our national debt is spiraling out of control, and government borrowing costs continue to rise.
Without a robust debt management strategy, public finances will remain unstable, pushing the country deeper into an economic crisis. South Africa cannot afford more reckless spending without accountability. BOSA calls for a clear, transparent debt-reduction plan to ensure that future generations are not saddled with unsustainable debt.
BOSA welcomes the review of the White Paper on Local Government, but we reject any proposal to introduce electoral thresholds at the municipal level. Every vote must count. The GNU cannot manipulate the electoral system to entrench itself in power and must be stopped. Strengthening local governance should be about service delivery, not political survival.
Despite forming a Government of National Unity (GNU), it is unclear what influence the GNU partners actually have on policy direction. This SONA was strikingly similar to last year’s—no bold reforms, no fresh ideas.
The public deserves to know: What has changed? What meaningful input have GNU partners provided? Without a fundamental shift in governance, South Africa remains on the same path of stagnation.
The President claimed in 2022 that Eskom would complete its unbundling by December of that year. We are now in 2025, and the country is still waiting. Load-shedding continues to cripple businesses, schools, and hospitals, while government dithers on implementing real energy reforms. South Africa needs urgent action, not recycled deadlines.
South Africa’s municipalities are collapsing, and our water infrastructure is in crisis. The country loses nearly 50% of its water due to leakages and mismanagement, yet the government offers little more than empty reassurances. We need concrete plans for fixing crumbling water infrastructure, not vague promises.
The President was disingenuous on basic education, failing to acknowledge the biggest issue plaguing our schools: the 30% pass mark. This low standard is setting up South African children for failure and stifling economic growth.
This president is not serious about education. The whole of South Africa knows that not only do we have problems with access to schooling, but we also have problems with the quality of basic education. TVET colleges have a 9.2% throughput rate. Universities have a 60% dropout rate.
This is because the matric who go to university and TVETS are not adequately prepared. We cannot grow this economy while we lie about education and while we do not fix the public education system. There will be no growth without education. That is fantasy.
If government is serious about improving education, it must raise the bar and invest in quality teaching, proper infrastructure, and better learning resources.
South Africa deserves more than just words. BOSA will continue to fight for real action, real reforms, and real accountability. The time for recycled promises is over—our country cannot afford another year of inaction.
Media Statement by
Roger Solomons: BOSA Acting Spokesperson
Thursday 06 February 2025
Media Enquiries:
Roger Solomons – BOSA Acting Spokesperson – 072 299 3551