This is the last SoNA of the sixth democratic administration.
The last five years has been a time of recovery, rebuilding and renewal. South Africa has had to:
- Revitalise the economy after more than a decade of poor economic performance.
- Rebuild public institutions after the era of state capture.
- Recover from a devastating global pandemic that caused great misery and hardship, that closed businesses and cost jobs.
- Confront and overcome a debilitating electricity crisis that, despite significant improvement in recent months, continues to hold back the economy.
South Africa has come a long way in the last five years. Government has:
- Built on the achievements of the last three decades and it has taken decisive measures to address the immediate challenges facing South Africans.
- Restored the independence and capability of law-enforcement agencies to tackle corruption and crime.
- Worked to advance the rights of persons with disability. Government took great pride in making South African Sign Language the 12th official language of the country.
- Safeguarded and promoted the basic rights in the Constitution, such as the freedom of speech, association and belief.
- Defended media freedom and the independence of the judiciary.
- Protected and advanced the rights of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and intersex community, and continue to combat all forms of prejudice and intolerance.
- Made significant progress on measures to grow the economy, create jobs and reduce poverty.
While government has set in motion the process of renewal and reform, there is more work to be done to see these reforms through to the end. Government will:
- see through the work underway with partners to end load-shedding and revive the performance of ports and rail network.
- continue to strengthen law-enforcement institutions, tackle GBV and fight corruption to make South Africa a safe place for all.
- continue to strengthen local government, professionalise the Public Service and ensure that public officials are held accountable for their actions.
- continue to position the economy to grow and compete in a fast-changing world, to support small businesses, to give young people economic opportunities and to provide social protection to the vulnerable.
- continue the work to improve the country’s fiscal position and hold firm to a sound macroeconomic trajectory.
- use the opportunities provided by the AfCFTA to increase trade and expand industries.
- continue to build an inclusive economy, focusing on the empowerment of black and women South Africans, advancing workers’ rights, intensifying land reform and pursuing a just energy transition that leaves no-one behind.
“As we celebrate 30 years of freedom, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to our constitutional democracy and its promise of a better life.
“We should not give in to those who resist the responsibility that the Constitution places on us all to correct the injustices of the past and fundamentally transform our economy and society.“We must remind these people of the obligation that the Constitution places on the State to progressively realise the rights of everyone to housing, healthcare, food, water, social security, safety and education."
"By the same measure, we should not allow anyone to diminish vital democratic institutions, to denigrate the judiciary or to challenge the constitutional authority of this Parliament.
"We should not give in to those who seek to divide our nation, incite violence and undermine our democracy.
“As in the past, as in the future, the people of South Africa should stand together against any attempt to reverse the achievements of our democracy.
“As the Chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly, I worked with many great leaders of our country to craft a Constitution that truly reflects the will of the South African people.
“As President, I see it as my primary duty to defend our Constitution, and to work every day to realise its promise. As we move forward, let us remember that it is up to us – not anyone else – to determine the future of South Africa.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa, SoNA, 8 February 2024, Cape Town City Hall.
“We are not passive observers of our history. We are its authors. We are the builders of this country we call home. As we look towards the next 30 years of freedom, we must choose the kind of country, and indeed the kind of world, we want to create for ourselves and for our children.
“We are committed to a South Africa in which our common identity lies in our recognition of each other’s humanity. We want a country in which every person is free to be exactly who they are, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.
“We want a country in which the same opportunities are available to every child, whether they are born in Sandton, in Mdantsane, in Sekhukhune, in Mitchell’s Plain or in Phoenix.
“We want a country in which the rule of law applies to everyone, no matter how wealthy they are or what position they hold. As we continue the journey together to make this vision a reality, we are inspired by democracy’s children, by their energy, by their creativity and by their enthusiasm.
“We are inspired by the young people who have carried our hopes onto the global stage, from the Springboks to Banyana Banyana, from the heroic Bafana Bafana to Grammy Award winners like Tyla.”
“As we mark the 30th anniversary of our freedom, we are reminded of the words of President Nelson Mandela, who said that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. He said:
“I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.”
“While we have come far, we have a long way still to go. Like Madiba, we must keep moving, always forward, always onwards, towards the country of our dreams. Always believing that victory is certain.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa, SoNA, 8 February 2024, Cape Town City Hall.
