South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced funding initiatives for small businesses with the intention of creating jobs and growing established small businesses.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that South Africa will continue to expand trade and investment opportunities with global trade partners to attract investment and financing.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government’s immediate priority in the next year is to restore energy security in the country.

The Presidency and the National Treasury will over the next three years work together to rationalise government departments, entities and programmes, in a move that is anticipated to see government achieve a R27 billion saving.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a national State of Disaster – with immediate effect – as a response to the current energy crisis gripping the country.

Government will over the next 12 months embark on efforts targeted at improving competitiveness in police call centre operations to support the proper functioning of the 10111 help line.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the full-scale construction works for the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Phase 2 will commence this year after being delayed for a number of years.

Members of Parliament and guests at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) say they are looking forward to a message of hope and a plan of action from President Cyril Ramaphosa when he delivers the SONA this evening.

Following the delivery of the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) to a Joint Sitting of Parliament this evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa will champion the cause of dignity for learners by teeing off at the annual Presidential Golf Challenge in support of the Adopt-a-School Foundation.

Parliamentary spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, has clarified that the institution is spending more on this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) – to the tune of R8 million – because of the unavailability of the Parliamentary precinct.

Police Minister General Bheki Cele has told law enforcement officials to make sure that they “enforce the law” without fear or favour, but within the confines of the Constitution, during and after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) this evening.

Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in partnership with the Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa) today encouraged train commuters at the Cape Town train station to listen to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) to be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa this evening.

Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele says the sixth administration is continuing to work hard to rebuild a competent South African Revenue Service (SARS) and further capacitate the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to bring perpetrators of State capture and other forms of criminality to book.

All eyes will be on President Cyril Ramaphosa this evening as he takes to the podium to outline government’s programme of action through his 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall.

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is called in terms of Section 42(5) of the Constitution by the President of the Republic. It is a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament and one of the rare occasions that bring together the three arms of the State under one roof.