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state of the nation address 2018latest news & developments
‘It is generally agreed that in order for our economy to grow at a rate that will lead to job creation on a meaningful scale, we need to significantly increase levels of investment’. (GCIS)

READ IN FULL: President Ramaphosa’s announcement of the economic stimulus package

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the highly-anticipated economic stimulus and recovery plan on Friday

Retired judge Robert Nugent has urged reform in the Judicial Service Commission, emphasising the need to prioritise judicial independence

Ramaphosa names retired Judge Robert Nugent to head SARS inquiry

The inquiry is expected to consider the adequacy and legality of steps that SARS has taken to address revenue shortfalls over the past two years

The announcement by Minister of Education Angie Motshekga that history will be made compulsory from grades 10 to 12 by 2022 has opened up many debates

Motshekga calls urgent meeting to discuss poor infrastructure

The education minister has convened an urgent meeting to plot the eradication of unsafe toilets following the death of five-year-old ​Lumka Mkhethwa

Letters to the Editor March 2 to 8

In an open letter to the president, a reader asks that refugees are given a lending hand

Precious resource: Agriculture makes up only 2.5% of South Africa’s gross domestic product

What the lay of the land may be

Whatever route the ANC goes, a balance has to be found between property rights and restitution

Hungry for land: The Economic Freedom Fighters championed the call for the invasion of land. Now the ANC has committed itself to land expropriation.

Land reform a podium pipe dream

The ANC’s renewed commitment to land expropriation may be more political posturing

‘Some women continue to be abused and dehumanised when they report the abuse to the police and the court. They are treated with contempt and the severity of their case is belittled

Ask women about civil servants

Abused women ought to be helped by authorities but this doesn’t always happen

Saturday and Sunday will now be reserved for the convening of a bi-annual lekgotla where alliance partners will also attend to plan for the year ahead.

Masses are singing from the pulse of President Ramaphosa’s Sona

Ramaphosa has brought back a sense of belonging to the vast majority of our people, who were despondent and felt dejected.

Former finance minister Pravin Gordhan

Comeback king: Gordhan willing to serve in Cabinet for another year

Former finance minister Pravin Gordhan may return to his previous position amidst speculation of a cabinet reshuffle

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an “extraordinary coronavirus budget” on Tuesday. (Reuters)

New dawn, old problem: Our democratic system

The new president’s plans for a better future must include ending party proportional representation so that citizens can have a say and drive change

“There was a very strong call that government must act speedily to implement free higher education for young people from poor and working class background

Leave Cabinet decisions to the president, Pandor tells opposition

The minister told opposition parties that decisions regarding the assembly of new cabinet should be left to the president of the republic

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s economic stimulus package shows that he and his political allies are in charge of economic policy. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

How will Ramaphosa deal with the public sector wage fight?

The salaries of public servants will test the president’s resolve in finding a solution to the government’s spending problem

Implicated: Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba’s impeccably tailored suit could not conceal the narrative of a rotten state

​Prepare for a tough budget — Malusi Gigaba

The president has asked the finance ministry to reduce spending and increase revenue to fill a R50-billion revenue gap

Godlimpi warned that even though current polls showed the ANC winning 48% of the vote next year with Cyril Ramaphosa as president, that figure was not guaranteed if the governing party could not resolve the electricity crunch.
(Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko)

Land reform takes centre stage at #SonaDebate

President Cyril Ramaphosa repeated the ANC’s intention to expropriate land without compensation in his State of the Nation address on Friday night.

The credit rating is a reflection of how risky an investment South Africa is

​Can the budget save South Africa from further credit rating downgrades?

“Should politics continue to improve, then credit ratings agencies might be willing to postpone a downgrade and the rand could hold onto its gains"

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an “extraordinary coronavirus budget” on Tuesday. (Reuters)

#SonaDebate: Ramaphosa warned not to mess up

Ramaphosa delivered the Sona a day after being elected to replace former president Jacob Zuma, who resigned in a televised address on Wednesday night.

“In the matter of composition of the cabinet
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WATCH LIVE: MPs debate Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address

​Members of Parliament will spend Monday debating President Cyril Ramaphosa’s February 16 State of the Nation Address.

Imported goods are subject to customs duties and a 15% VAT rate based on their value, which must be paid to Sars. (Oupa Nkosi)

Zuma budget hole leaves SA with tough decisions on tax

With growth in SA lagging that of peers after a second recession in less than a decade, tax collections have dwindled

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced an “extraordinary coronavirus budget” on Tuesday. (Reuters)

Rampahosa’s SONA stokes hope of economic revival

“Business will step up because they want Ramaphosa to succeed.”

(Reuters/Gianluigi Guercia)

From inspirational to ‘more of the same’- opposition poke holes in Ramaphosa’s SONA

Most political parties were cautiously optimistic about Ramaphosa’s speech, saying his lofty promises could be faulted if he doesn’t deliver on them