President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to respond to the debate on his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, following two days of criticism from opposition parties in Parliament.
Ramaphosa Heads into SONA with Crucial Questions Lingering
The debate, which dissected his address from last week, saw opposition parties accuse him of making empty promises while failing to account for previous commitments.
Among the dominant themes was dissatisfaction with Ramaphosa’s handling of issues such as unemployment, housing, student debt, and land expropriation.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Sihle Lonzi led the charge on education, slamming the government for its inaction on student debt and the withholding of degrees from graduates. He also pushed for the Student Debt Cancellation Bill proposed by the EFF.
The MK Party also took aim at the president, with MP Nhlamulo Ndhlela declaring his speech to be a collection of recycled promises. He criticized the government’s decision to deploy South African National Defence Force (SANDF) troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), stating that the soldiers were not defending South Africa but protecting private economic interests.
The debate also veered into foreign policy, with several opposition members condemning former US President Donald Trump’s recent stance on South Africa, particularly regarding the Expropriation Act and possible sanctions.
As Ramaphosa prepares to respond, several key questions remain:
- Will he address the demands for urgent student debt relief?
- What is his position on SANDF troops remaining in the DRC?
- How will he respond to Trump’s threats regarding US funding cuts to South Africa?
Watch Live: Ramaphosa’s 2025 SONA reply
For those looking to follow the proceedings live, Ramaphosa’s address is set to begin at 14:00 SAST. The reply will be broadcast below.
