Ramaphosa Declares Turning Point in 2026 SONA

President Cyril Ramaphosa used his 2026 State of the Nation Address to declare that South Africa has “reached a turning point” and is “leaving behind an era of decline and turning towards an era of prosperity and growth”.

Delivering the address at Cape Town City Hall, the President set out three priorities for the Government of National Unity: “Firstly, to drive inclusive growth and job creation. Secondly, to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living. Thirdly, to build a capable, ethical and developmental state”.

Growth, investment, and infrastructure

Ramaphosa argued that the economy has begun to stabilise. “We have achieved two consecutive primary budget surpluses. Our credit rating has improved, interest rates are coming down, and inflation is at its lowest level in twenty years”. He added that “the rand has strengthened against the dollar” and that the Johannesburg Stock Exchange “has performed exceptionally well over the past year”.

At the centre of his economic programme is infrastructure. “Government has committed more than R1 trillion in public investment over three years to build and maintain infrastructure. This is the largest allocation of its kind in our country’s history. It will be transformative”. A new infrastructure bond has already been “more than two times oversubscribed”.

On energy, the President declared that the country has “brought an end to load shedding and built a more dynamic and resilient energy system”. Looking ahead, “By 2030, more than 40% of our energy supply will come from cheap, clean, renewable energy sources”.

Through five Investment Conferences, government secured “R1.5 trillion in investment commitments” with “over R600 billion” already flowing into projects. A new target of “R2 trillion in new investments over the next five years” has been set.

Crime, corruption, and local government

Ramaphosa described organised crime as “the most immediate threat to our democracy, our society and our economic development”. He announced that 5 500 additional police officers will be recruited this year and that a new criminal justice reform initiative will “crack down on organised crime, corruption and the illicit firearms trade”. To confront escalating gang violence and illegal mining, he said he is deploying the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to support the police, instructing the Minister of Police and the SANDF to develop a tactical plan for deployment in the Western Cape and Gauteng.

On corruption, he was unequivocal. “Let this message be clear: there will be no impunity for acts of corruption and criminality”. Procurement reform and a Whistle-Blower Protection Bill are intended to address systemic weaknesses.

Water outages were singled out as a national crisis. Government has committed “more than R156 billion in public funding for water and sanitation infrastructure alone over the next three years”. A National Water Crisis Committee, chaired by the President, will coordinate interventions, and criminal charges have already been laid against non-compliant municipalities.

Health and social priorities

Preparing for National Health Insurance, the President pledged “substantial investment in health infrastructure” and revitalisation of academic hospitals. He announced a “massive rollout of Lenacapavir” to prevent HIV transmission and reiterated that gender-based violence remains classified as a national disaster.

A firm foreign policy stance

Foreign policy featured prominently, with Ramaphosa setting a defiant tone. In “an increasingly volatile world,” he said South Africa holds firm to “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”. He stressed that the country’s commitment to sovereignty and self-determination “is sacrosanct. It is not negotiable”.

While affirming respect for other nations, he added: “We will stand firm on our sovereignty and promote our national interests, values and the rights of our people”. He was explicit that “we will not be bullied by any other country”.

In a line likely to attract international attention, Ramaphosa declared: “We cannot consider ourselves free for as long as the people of Palestine, Cuba, Sudan, Western Sahara and elsewhere suffer occupation, oppression and war”. The statement placed Cuba alongside Palestine and Western Sahara in South Africa’s narrative of global solidarity.

He reaffirmed support for multilateralism and international law, and noted that South Africa has requested permission from the United Nations to withdraw troops from the mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A call to collective action

The address concluded with a renewed push for the National Dialogue process, which will culminate in a national convention to guide a new national compact and the next phase of the National Development Plan beyond 2030.

Ramaphosa closed by urging unity and urgency. “We must fix local government. We must fight crime and corruption and restore trust in the criminal justice system. We must create jobs and livelihoods for every South African. And we must build a state that works for the people”.

The 2026 SONA presented a picture of cautious optimism at home and assertive sovereignty abroad, with the President betting that sustained reform, investment, and a firmer international posture will define the next phase of South Africa’s democratic journey.