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state of the nation 2019latest news & developments
President Cyril Ramphosa. (David Harrison)

In his Sona speech, Ramaphosa must tread the line between promises and reality

South Africa has a slew of service-delivery problems, most notably in the water and electricity sectors. The time for promises is over: what the country needs is action

The South African Reserve Bank has room to consider an interest rate cut at this week’s monetary policy committee meeting. (Oupa Nkosi)

Ramaphosa’s Sona affirms Reserve Bank mandate

President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirms mandate of the SARB, but says price stability while necessary is not a sufficient condition for economic growth.

President Jacob Zuma delivers the state of the nation address in Parliament on Thursday. Security forces were called to eject EFF members who interrupted Zuma’s speech. (Rodger Bosch, AFP)

Bill to be tabled to rescue Eskom, Ramaphosa says

Presidents promises work on the troubled power utility, but the real work will be left to the next budget speech

In an address to the nation on Sunday night, President Cyril Ramapahosa said he would seek an “urgent judicial review” of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s report.

Ramaphosa’s Sona outlines seven priorities for sixth administration

Implementation is the key focus for President Cyril Ramaphosa, who admits there are limits to what can be delivered due to state of public finances

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation address on Thursday. (David Harrison/M&G)
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LIVESTREAM: President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers Sona

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his first State of the Nation address since being elected

The EFF has been known to disrupt the address in the past. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

EFF to decide on whether it will disrupt Ramaphosa’s Sona

EFF mum on whether it will raise public protector issue with Ramaphosa during Sona

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni.

Budget 2019: Citizens and civil society cannot afford to relax

With a shortfall in revenue collection, where will the state get much-needed cash?

Panelists Lester Kiewit, Khadija Patel, Pearl Pillay and Angelo Fick. (Photos: David Harrison)

Post State of the Nation Address

Suggestions were made for South African citizens to spoil their ballots, to show politicians how dissatisfied they are

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan says he plans to appear before Parliament’s public enterprises committee to give the legislature a detailed report on the challenges facing Eskom. (David Harrison/M&G)

Gordhan promises action to keep the lights on

During the Sona debate, the public enterprises minister outlined the steps being taken to halt load-shedding

President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to deliver his response to questions from members of Parliament on Thursday. (Jairus Mmutle/GCIS)

MPs to tackle Ramaphosa Sona speech

Two days have been set aside for legislators to either critique or applaud President Ramaphosa’s Sona speech

Leading the way: President Cyril Ramaphosa won applause at various moments of his State of the Nation address. (David Harrison)

President pulls out all the stops

Breaking down President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address

(Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

The State of the Nation in numbers

Of all Sona speeches, Motlanthe spoke the most, while Zuma spoke the least

President Cyril Ramaphosa (David Harrison/M&G)

Sona 2019: Ramaphosa’s renewed urgency welcomed

But critical detail is still needed when it comes to plans to address the country’s economic challenges, starting with Eskom

Promises will be made. But this year, is a little different than last. (Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

Sona 2019: Thuma mina, again. Please?

It’s an election year. The president knows he is effectively asking the nation to trust him to lead the nation again

(David Harrison/M&G)

Special NPA unit to deal with Zondo commission evidence to be set up

The NPA will soon have an investigating directorate to deal with graft allegations which have emerged at the state capture inquiry

On footbridges running across Nelson Mandela Boulevard leading into the Cape Town CBD, Right2Know protestors held morning rush-hour protests calling on Ramaphosa to among other things to increase social grants. (Twitter: Right2Know)

Sona protestors out early to get their voices heard

Various groups are picketing in hopes of getting President Cyril Ramaphosa to address their concerns

Speaking at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town this week, Ramaphosa is reported to have said that his government will act on the recommendations of the commissions. (Mike Hutchings/Reuters)

Eskom, state-owned enterprises, law and order — Ramaphosa’s uphill battle

Before President Ramaphosa begins his second State of the Nation address, senior M&G journalists unpack the challenges facing the president

President Ramaphosa spearheaded the four-year process that led up to the signing on Friday after he was appointed by former president Jacob Zuma in 2014 to stabilise the labour environment. (GCIS)
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WATCH LIVE: 2019 State of the nation address

Watch SONA 2019 live from Cape Town