President Cyril Ramaphosa to Deliver State of the Nation Address Today Amid 30 Years of Freedom and G20 Presidency

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa will take to the podium today at 7:00 PM local time to deliver the highly anticipated 2025 State of the Nation Address (SoNA), an address that comes with considerable weight and significance. The speech will be presented before a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, setting the tone for the government’s priorities in the coming year.
This year’s SoNA marks a pivotal moment in the country’s political calendar as it will be the first address delivered under the 7th Administration of the South African government. The theme for this year’s address, “A nation that works, for all,” reflects President Ramaphosa’s ongoing commitment to national unity, inclusive growth, and the deepening of democratic ideals.
The address holds particular significance for multiple reasons. First, it takes place during the commemoration of 30 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa three decades since the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic state under Nelson Mandela. This milestone offers a moment of reflection on the nation’s progress, the achievements made since 1994, and the challenges that remain. As South Africa continues to grapple with complex socio-economic issues, the SoNA provides an opportunity for President Ramaphosa to outline his government’s strategy for overcoming these obstacles.
Additionally, the timing of this year’s SoNA coincides with South Africa’s presidency of the G20, the influential forum that brings together the world’s largest economies to discuss global economic governance and development. As the first African nation to hold the G20 presidency in the 21st century, South Africa has an important platform to shape discussions on global trade, climate change, and international development. President Ramaphosa is expected to highlight the role that South Africa can play on the world stage and what this means for the future of the country’s international relations.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, held a press briefing earlier today to update the nation on the proceedings for the evening’s event. Didiza confirmed that the address will focus not only on the government’s achievements and ongoing projects but will also look ahead to the challenges the country will face in the coming years. Topics such as economic recovery, job creation, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social development are likely to feature prominently, as these are areas in which Ramaphosa’s administration has faced both success and criticism.
The State of the Nation Address is one of the most anticipated political events of the year in South Africa, drawing attention from citizens, civil society organizations, political analysts, and international observers alike. It is a key moment for the President to outline his vision and provide the country with a roadmap for progress. The address also serves as an opportunity for Ramaphosa to respond to pressing national issues and offer solutions to the country’s complex challenges.
While the address is often accompanied by political grandstanding and reactions from opposition parties, this year’s SoNA is expected to draw added scrutiny given the country’s ongoing struggles with unemployment, poverty, and economic inequality. As South Africa enters the next phase of its democracy, many are eager to hear how the President plans to balance the demands of economic growth with the need to address widespread poverty and inequality.
This year’s address is also expected to be a symbolic moment for South Africans to reflect on the journey taken since 1994, a time when the nation emerged from decades of segregation and racial injustice into a new era of possibility. However, with persistent issues of corruption, service delivery, and political instability still looming, Ramaphosa will likely face questions about his government’s efforts to tackle these problems and build on the progress of the past three decades.
As South Africa celebrates its 30th anniversary of freedom, the State of the Nation Address will serve as both a celebration of past achievements and a critical moment for President Ramaphosa to chart a course for the future. The world is watching as South Africa takes on a leadership role in global affairs, but many citizens are also hoping for concrete actions that will address the socio-economic challenges they face at home.
In the coming hours, all eyes will be on Parliament as Ramaphosa takes the stage to deliver his vision for South Africa’s future and the steps his government will take to build a nation that works for all.