As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 6, 2025, South Africans are waiting to see if his promises will lead to real change. This year marks the 31st anniversary of the African National Congress (ANC) in power, and Ramaphosa will reflect on the progress made and the challenges still ahead for the country.

5 Key Topics to Expect in the 2025 SONA

Economic Growth and Job Creation
- Ramaphosa will likely focus on plans to boost economic growth and create more jobs. With high unemployment rates, this is expected to be a central theme of his speech.
Infrastructure Development
- Infrastructure improvement has been a key priority for the government, and Ramaphosa will probably highlight ongoing and future projects to improve roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals to better serve South Africans.

Combating Crime and Corruption
- Crime and corruption continue to be significant issues. Expect Ramaphosa to discuss efforts to restore integrity in government institutions and tackle lawlessness that affects many communities.
Energy Crisis and Load Shedding
- The energy crisis and ongoing load shedding have been major issues for years. Ramaphosa will likely update the nation on efforts to solve this problem and secure a more reliable energy supply.
Social Grants and Support
- With many South Africans still struggling, the President is expected to reaffirm his commitment to social grants and other forms of support to help the most vulnerable in society.

What to Expect from SONA 2025?

Ramaphosa’s 2024 SONA was full of ambitious plans for the country’s future, but many were skeptical about whether those promises would become reality. As he delivers the 2025 address, South Africans are asking whether his goals of economic revitalization, infrastructure development, and social support will truly lead to change, or if they’ll just remain as promises.

The nation will be watching closely to see if Ramaphosa can deliver on the ambitious vision he’s set out, or if this year’s speech will be more of the same.