Will tonight's SONA be President Ramaphosa's swan song?
Political analyst, Dr Ralph Mathekga shares his predictions on how the President is likely to use the SONA tonight to speak to South Africans
FILE: President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his 2023 State of the Nation Address. Picture: GCIS
"It's a year of political crisis", says political analyst, Dr Ralph Mathekga.
And as the country prepares to head to the polls in the most important elections since 1994, so too President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver his eighth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Ramaphosa will take to the podium at 7pm from Cape Town City Hall.
Mathekga says the speech is likely to be a balance of electioneering and a sobering reflection on where we are as a country:
"Quite often the president acknowledges these problems, but I think it should be beyond just acknowledging. A sympathetic ear will now no longer be enough. What exactly will be done?"
Dr Ralph Mathekga, Political Analyst
For the President himself, tonight's speech may well hold extra significance.
Some political pundits are predicting tonight's SONA could be his swan song, says Mathekga:
"Some are saying he might be delivering his last State of The Nation Address"
Dr Ralph Mathekga, Political Analyst
But beyond the likely electioneering, is Ramaphosa likely to say anything groundbreaking?
"Can we really expect the President to give us grand plans? Does he even have time for that? I don't think so."
Dr Ralph Mathekga, Political Analyst
"That said, the country wants answers", says Mathekga.
Answers on issues like crime and electricity:
"These are immediate irritations, they don't need a long term plan. We want someone to be telling what will happen in a very short space of time."
Dr Ralph Mathekga, Political Analyst
"Maybe the ANC government has run out of runway for these long term plans"
Dr Ralph Mathekga, Political analyst