what South Africans can expect

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President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) On Thursday evening.

South Africans are waiting with bated breath to hear just what the president has to say, given all that has been happening with the country’s politics in recent times.

SONA2025 is expected to address key national issues, economic strategies, and South Africa’s role on the global stage.

Frank Blackmore, lead economist at KPMG told The South African that the address must be an honest reflection of South Africa’s reality. “SONA2025 should be an honest account of precisely what the state of the nation is,” he said.

South Africans want the same. With a coalition government in place, many hope for a more honest assessment of the country’s challenges rather than a highlight reel of ANC achievements.

Here is a list of what analysts believe Ramaphosa will likely speak on.

SONA2025 TO ADDRESS ECONOMY AND JOB CREATION

A major focus of SONA2025 is expected to be South Africa’s economic outlook. Despite struggling in recent years, the economy is showing signs of recovery – as was mentioned by the South African Reserve Bank ahead of the recent repo rate cut.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), GDP growth is forecasted to rise from 0.8% in 2024 to 1.5% in 2025.

The President is likely to address measures to stimulate growth, including electricity reforms, infrastructure development, and job creation.

But Blackmore says that Ramaphosa will need to do more than just focus on the positives in SONA2025. He will need to actually touch on the issues of the cycle of slow economic expansion.

“We’ve been speaking about economic plans for years, but the results have been disappointing,” Blackmore said. “The output has been low, and slow growth has persisted.”

Blackmore argues that a proper plan is needed to not only boost growth but also ensure that economic benefits reach ordinary South Africans.

Strategies for job creation, investment, and entrepreneurship should be at the forefront of the government’s agenda, he says.

SONA2025: ENERGY CRISIS AND GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Load shedding has been one of the biggest challenges facing the country. However, Blackmore acknowledges that some improvements have been made. “The Minister of Electricity’s ability to secure supply for a relatively long period of time leading up to the brief load shedding declaration in January was a good sign,” he said.

Despite this, energy security still remains a big concern.

South Africans will be looking at Ramaphosa to share some concrete plans on how the government intends to sustain and improve electricity supply in his SONA2025 address . All this, while transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.

Many feel that there is no doubt he will address the energy topic in his speech this year, keen to highlight the Department of Energy’s feats.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND KEY POLICIES

Another critical point will be government spending on initiatives such as the National Health Insurance (NHI). While the NHI aims to improve healthcare access, concerns remain over its funding and complicated implementation.

Blackmore stresses the importance of balancing social programs with economic growth. “The government must have a clear strategy for costlier interventions like the NHI and ensure that they don’t further strain the economy,” he said.

If Ramaphosa does mention the plans around NHI in SONA2025, it could offer a prelude into what South Africans can expect from the Budget Speech that is to follow.

If he doesn’t, then they will just have to wait for Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to provide more information on government’s direction on this, later this quarter.

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES

Several key laws have been passed recently, and Ramaphosa may use SONA2025 to highlight their impact.

South Africans want to hear more about the passing of the Land Expropriation Bill.

The Expropriation Bill, which allows the state to acquire land in the public interest, has sparked international debate, with U.S President Donald Trump and Tech Tycoon Elon Musk publically bashing the legislation.

Ramaphosa is also expected to mention the Employment Equity Amendment Act, which aims to ease regulatory burdens on small businesses. This is a big one.

He will also likely speak on Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, which seeks to reform the education system.

COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CRIME

Crime remains a pressing issue, and Ramaphosa is likely to outline continued efforts to improve public safety.

With over 20,000 new police constables deployed and operations like Shanela and Vala Umgodi targeting crime and illegal mining, the government is aiming to restore security. The latest statistics indicate a decline in murder, robbery, and carjacking rates, which may be highlighted as progress in crime-fighting efforts.

Analysts expect that Ramaphosa will likely be adamant about highlighting certain ‘success stories’ from the ANC government and this will undoubtedly be one of them .

THE ELON MUSK AND DONALD TRUMP SAGA

The ongoing global controversy involving Musk and President Trump has captured widespread attention amongst South Africans.

They really want to hear their president say something on this.

While it is uncertain whether Ramaphosa will directly address the issue in SONA2025, if he does, he may frame it within the broader context of social media regulations, global diplomacy, or South Africa’s stance on digital governance.

Given Musk’s South African roots and Trump’s divisive influence, any mention of the saga could generate even more discussion – so Ramaphosa will likely look to treat lightly.

SONA2025 MUST ADDRESS A COUNTRY IN CRISIS

Blackmore highlighted the growing disconnect between political promises and the lived realities of many South Africans. He pointed out that in recent years, SONA has become more about well-dressed politicians making grand declarations while citizens struggle with economic hardship.

Millions of people are now dependent on social grants, which barely cover their basic needs. Government failures in service delivery, economic growth, and job creation have deepened poverty and widened inequality.

According to Blackmore, the government must acknowledge these issues and present concrete plans to address them.

As Ramaphosa takes the stage, South Africans will be listening closely to his plans for addressing the nation’s challenges and shaping its future.