The upcoming general election loomed large over this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). President Ramaphosa started his speech by reminding citizens of how the ANC government has improved the lives of ordinary South Africans over the past 30 years since the dawn of democracy. Moving to the past five years, the President stayed firmly focused on what the government has done to address the country’s most pressing challenges. The President listed the plans, policies, and actions taken to deal with crime and corruption, the electricity shortage, the crumbling rail and port networks, unreliable water supply, and persistent skills shortages. The President announced no new initiatives, nor provided any new information, but rather reassured the public that the government’s plans and policies would yield results. Ultimately, it was an election speech, with a focus on government’s achievements.

The President repeated some of the initiatives undertaken on the following issues:

·       State capture, corruption, and crime

·       The electricity crisis

·       Climate change mitigation and the just transition

·       Rail and port networks

·       Bulk water and road infrastructure

·       Immigration reforms

·       Education, social welfare, and health care