Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has signalled increased spending on peace and security in his budget speech from R268.2 billion in 2025/26 to R291.2 billion in 2028/29. The allocation follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement in his State of the Nation address (Sona) that the defence force will be deployed alongside the police to combat illegal mining […]
At a Mail & Guardian post-Sona breakfast held in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and the Embassy of Ireland, analysts turned from the president’s reform agenda to the harder question of execution. Structural unemployment, municipal dysfunction, coalition politics and institutional rebuilding dominated a discussion that placed delivery, not rhetoric, at the centre of South Africa’s political […]
For the first time in several years, electricity did not dominate the president’s address
The president said the South African National Defence Force would be deployed to support police in tackling gang violence and illegal mining
Party leader Julius Malema said the move signalled the president’s loss of confidence in the police
In a pointed message to powerful nations, the president declared that South Africa’s sovereignty was “sacrosanct” and would not be compromised
The president announced a mass vaccination drive of the country’s entire cattle herd as the government moves to limit economic damage, export bans and further losses to farmers
Amid the crisis in South Africa’s creative sector, artists and film crews march to demand funding, spaces and government accountability before Sona 2026
Brand South Africa, the official marketing and reputation management agency of South Africa, is pleased to announce the insights into the 2024-25 State of the Nation Brand Report. This was unveiled during a special event hosted at Constitution Hill on 25 March 2025, in collaboration with the Mail & Guardian. Over the years, the organisation […]
The move, which marks a further deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries, was announced by US secretary of state Marco Rubio in a post on X late on Friday
Some members believe the chief whip is out of his depth, which has left the EFF’s Julius Malema dominating as the voice of the opposition
The department of international relations and cooperation said the order failed to recognise South Africa’s ‘profound and painful history of colonialism and apartheid’
The president warned about nationalism and protectionism and said South Africa would not change its values or policies
Without mentioning US President Donald Trump by name, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday sent a message to Washington in his State of the Nation address that South Africa will not abandon policies which its new administration this week branded “anti-Americanism”. Ramaphosa said the world was contending with climate change and violent conflict while “witnessing the […]
Re-industrialisation, infrastructure development and cutting red tape are at the centre of the government’s plan to grow the economy
The suspension prevents party leader Julius Malema and five other MPs from attending this week’s Sona and the budget speech later this month
Join the Mail & Guardian, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung and a panel of experts at the post-State of the Nation Address Critical Thinking Forum in Cape Town
Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh chats with Prince Mashele about Operation Dudula, Eskom Crisis, Cyril Ramaphosa, EFF Parliament, 2024 Election
Our uncle in the load-shedding business sits on his couch and faces zero accountability
But widespread, destructive flooding does qualify as a disaster
The president tells party leaders that the new electricity minister will also be a project manager for Medupi and Kusile power stations
Mixed reactions to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement, as minerals and energy minister let off the hook to solve electricity crisis
No legal provision for calling a state of disaster because your cabinet is incompetent and your government incapable, panel hears
ANC leaders were caught off guard and left reeling when the president made the announcement, with allies calling for him to explain his actions
South Africa need not accept a political culture that offers up leaders who are out of touch with the nation’s realities
We are tired, disillusioned and disbelieving of yet more promises that fail to materialise. That’s the state we’re in
In a hint of what will come in his cabinet reshuffle, the president sidelined Mantashe with plan to appoint energy minister in the presidency
More funds expected for SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Special Investigating Unit in the government’s effort to combat crime
Complete ceremony format at a cool R8 million expected at #Sona2023 after last year’s parliament fire caused some events to be cancelled
Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh chats with Lukhone Mnguni about loadshedding, South Africa’s governance crisis, the 55th ANC National Conference, and SONA
Presidency says Mabuza is still second in command while he waits for Ramaphosa to release him with Mashatile waiting in the wings
Electricity was the biggest cause and driver of service delivery protests in 2022