Ramaphosa says real state of the nation, a balance of optimism and struggle

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the real state of the nation is a balance of optimism and struggle.

In an exclusive interview with Eyewitness News and CapeTalk in Nelson Mandela’s prison house on Wednesday, Ramaphosa admitted that although his State of the Nation Address (SONA) speech may be done, the country’s hard slog is far from over.

The president’s visit to the Drakenstein Correctional Facility coincided with the 36th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.

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Ramaphosa describes the tour of the prison house where Mandela was kept in the months leading up to his release as poignant and standing in this space on the eve of another SONA is not lost on him.

“The past 10 years have been very difficult, and our people have gone through great challenges. We need to reflect on all that, but we also need to reflect on what the future pertains.”

Ramaphosa said the roadmap for the government in 2026 will reflect hits and misses.

“It’s undisputed, many people do say that we’re turning the corner and things are beginning to look a lot better. But we shouldn’t be too optimistic because there are still huge problems that we have to deal with.”

Rested and relaxed, Ramaphosa will address the nation from the City Hall at 7pm on Thursday night.

“I want to be ready to deliver the speech. The speech is done and dusted.”

Article by Natalie Malgas.