On February 8, 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his eighth State of the Nation Address (SoNA) to a joint sitting of Parliament.
Key Points from the SoNA 2024:
1. Youth Unemployment:
- The youth vote poses a significant challenge for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in the upcoming election.
- Over 3 million young South Africans (aged 15–24) are neither in education nor employment.
- Ramaphosa announced the launch of the Presidential Employment Stimulus and other initiatives to create over 1.7 million work opportunities.
- Platforms like SAYouth.mobi were introduced to help young people access learning and earning opportunities.
2. National Health Insurance (NHI):
- While no specific timeline was provided, Ramaphosa acknowledged the controversial NHI bill.
- The government plans to incrementally implement the NHI, focusing on health system financing, the health workforce, medical products, vaccines, and health information systems.
3. Infrastructure and Challenges:
- The SoNA was light on big announcements, reflecting a retrospective view of the ANC’s three decades in power.
- South Africa faces serious challenges, including crisis in ports, rail networks, and electricity supply, as well as high youth unemployment.
- Ramaphosa’s speech emphasized achievements to date and existing plans to address these issues.
4. Combating Crime:
- Ramaphosa unveiled bold strategies to combat crime and ensure citizens’ safety.
- Details of these strategies were not explicitly outlined in the speech, but they signal the government’s commitment to addressing security concerns.
In summary, President Ramaphosa’s SoNA 2024 highlighted both achievements and challenges, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to build a stronger, more inclusive South Africa.