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President Cyril Ramaphosa introduced himself as the CEO of South Africa Incorporated last night, briefing the board and shareholders after a catastrophic year, with murky waters ahead.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his State of the Nation Address in Parliament on February 11, 2021. Image: GCIS
These are tackling COVID-19, recovering the economy, fighting corruption and strengthening the state’s ability to comply.
Your announcement about the imminent arrival of more than 40 million doses of vaccine will be welcomed, as will the decision to extend the R350 COVID-19 special aid grant and the UIF TERS aid for companies that cannot operate under the blockade of Level three.
FULL SPEECH: President Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address
The Shortened State of the Nation Speech was the first to be delivered with just 50 MPs and members of the judiciary in the chamber, and everyone else connected online.
Cyril Ramaphosa introduced himself as the CEO of South Africa Incorporated last night, briefing the board and shareholders after a catastrophic year, with murky waters still ahead.
Rather than a laundry list, he offered a clear agenda of four main strategic goals for his government: defeating COVID-19, driving growth, fighting corruption, and building the state’s capacity to deliver.
When he delivered his last Sona COVID-19, something was happening on the other side of the world. Only four months have passed since he unveiled his economic recovery plan.
“Tonight, we are here, not to make promises, but to report on the progress in implementing the economic recovery plan, and also the priority actions we must take to restore growth and create jobs.”
In terms of the economy, Ramaphosa spoke about four key areas: a massive rollout of infrastructure, a focus on local production to boost local manufacturing and create jobs, and steps to expand electricity generation beyond Eskom, using renewable energy.
While it is a top priority, he offered few details on how the government intends to handle the complexities of vaccinating its citizens against COVID-19, but more than 40 million doses are on the way.
“This year, we must do everything in our power to contain and overcome the pandemic. This means intensifying our prevention efforts and strengthening our health system, it also means that we must undertake a massive vaccination program to save lives and drastically reduce infection throughout the population.
Ramaphosa tried to inspire hope by comparing South Africans’ ability to overcome challenges to the Western Cape’s unique fynbos, which flourish after devastating fires.
If he made a promise, it was that South Africa would rise again.
WATCH: Job Creation and Fighting Corruption: Highlights from Sona 2021
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