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Skilled but no jobs: South Africa’s history of dispossession and exclusion demands purposeful intervention to build a more just and inclusive economy. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G

Mr President, the government can — and should — create jobs

The private sector, experts say, cannot alone be entrusted with the important task of stopping South Africa’s unemployment tailspin

February 10 2022 – The State of the Nation address held at the City of Cape Town City Hall, Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by David Harrison

Ramaphosa needs muscle to implement Sona promises

The biggest challenge the president has is the bureaucratic implementation.

After the stall during 2020’s pandemic, travellers have come storming back exponentially each year. (Rajesh Jantilal/AFP)

Tourism sector braces for Covid-19 fifth wave

Industry says PCR tests and other restrictions are impeding the recovery of the industry.

Steenhuisen said that the DA had been preaching for years that South Africa’s regulations for the private sector were unduly complicated, costly, difficult to comply with. (Photo by Laird Forbes/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Opposition parties highlight contradictions and DA-lite approach in Sona address

In his State of the Nation address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said improvement of the business environment would now sit within the presidency and former Exxaro chief executive…

Did Ramaphosa hit the right note? (GCIS)

Business reacts: Sona commitments will not move the dial — yet

Though the president’s speech hit the right notes, business will be looking out for delivery over promises.

(Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Sona 2022: We will continue to support gas development — Ramaphosa

But Greenpeace Africa says the president must let go of ‘gas fantasies’

President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo by Nic BOTHMA / POOL / AFP)

Sona 2022: Business to assist NPA; Kenya helps Ramaphosa on metal theft

Opposition parties say the need for private-sector involvement in state affairs is proof of a ‘failing dummy cabinet’

The expansion of social grants has been one of the most significant redistributive measures in democratic South Africa. Grants now support millions of children, older persons, and people with disabilities.
 (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Sona 2022: Ramaphosa extends R350 grant for another year

In the meantime, government will mull the best options to replace this grant with another form of income support

President Cyril Ramaphosa was mildly heckled by members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) during his State Of the Nation address (Sona) on Thursday as he tried to outline the government’s plan to deal with state capture. (Photo by NIC BOTHMA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Sona 2022: Ramaphosa mildly heckled during his address

As the president spoke about state capture, opposition MPs murmured disparagingly in a manner previously reserved for his predecessor Jacob Zuma

Stage two water restrictions were introduced in Joburg this week but these will only be effective if they are enforced as they were in Cape Town during their Day Zero period. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Sona 2022: ‘Water is South Africa’s most precious natural resource’ — Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa said planned institutional reform will improve the enforcement of water standards at municipal level

The president’s strategy to stop the unemployment crisis from spiralling includes cutting red tape and focusing on infrastructure investment

Sona 2022: Ramaphosa says private sector can dig South Africa out of jobs and growth slump

The president’s strategy to stop the unemployment crisis from spiralling includes cutting red tape and focusing on infrastructure investment

Load-shedding is unlikely through the winter.

Sona 2022: Government taking ‘firm steps’ to reduce energy shortfalls — Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa says fundamental changes are underway in South Africa’s beleaguered energy sector

President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation.

READ IT IN FULL: Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address

The president promised that the state will act on the findings of the Zondo commission and vowed to cut red tape to facilitate job creation

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Sona 2022: ‘Don’t tear our democracy apart’, says Ramaphosa

The president promised that the state will act on the findings of the Zondo commission and vowed to cut red tape to facilitate job creation

President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo by Michele Spatari/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Sona 2022: Ramaphosa must make ‘decisive statements’ — opposition parties

Talk is over, the country needs action says Chief Zwelivelile Mandla Mandela ahead of the State of the Nation address

Covid hampers were distributed by charities at the Iterileng informal settlement in 2020, but the government failed to respond structurally to the pandemic. (Photo by Marco LONGARI / AFP)

Sona 2022: Tell us what’s happened, Mr President

The president needs to report back to South Africa on what his government has – and hasn’t – achieved since 2018