Pomp and promise: Watch this hilarious skit on the ANC's promises ahead of the State of the Nation Address (Sona) and elections.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver his final State of the Union Address (Sona) at 7pm tonight at Cape Town City Hall before South Africans head to the polls later this year to leave their names behind.
Ramaphosa will be given a 21-gun salute in front of Nelson Mandela's statue to commemorate South Africa's 30th anniversary of democracy.
Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Mugwenya said the president, apparently suffering from a severe case of influenza, plans to announce the 2024 election dates within 15 days of delivering the EFF-free Sona. That's what it means.
Also read: Sona: We hope President Ramaphosa will restrain himself from sloganeering
Let's get into the mood of “Sona and the promise of elections”…
To get into tonight's 'promise is a promise' mood and the 'you never know when' election mood, sit back and watch comedy trio Bower Bosch, Themba Robin and Reggie Peace's antics Enjoy the act. Election pledge meeting.
plot? After years of commitments, it is difficult for the African National Congress (ANC) to come up with new commitments that the people believe in.
Watch: “Election Commitment Meeting”
In a nutshell: The Broken Promise of Sona 2023
In 2023, the President focused on four key concerns in his Sona. Let's take a look at how our Congress has delivered on these promises over the past 12 months…
Load shedding crisis
empty promise: The Minister of Electricity will be appointed with full responsibility for overseeing all aspects of dealing with the country's devastating power crisis.
What has changed? Despite the appointment of Kgosiensho Ramogopa as Minister of Power, 2023 was the worst power outage disaster in Eskom's history… more than 6,800 hours of power outage by early December.
Also read: Watch: SA’s “new national anthem”…unplugged
Cost of living
empty promise: The R350 Social Distress Relief (SRD) grant will continue until 2025, and other social grants will also be increased to combat deepening poverty.
What has changed? Despite these subsidies, an estimated 13.8 million South Africans live below the food poverty line.
Also read: Here's what was promised in the last Sona and what's changed.
unemployment
empty promise: Unemployment will be addressed through expanded employment tax incentives and further recruitment through social employment funds.
What has changed? The unemployment rate stood at 31.9% at the end of the third quarter of 2023, with 47% of South Africans dependent on social grants.
Also read: Sona 2024: Road closures and alternative routes for Connecticut motorists
crime and corruption
empty promise: Strengthen the ranks of the South African Police Service (Saps) and increase visible security to prevent crime. The capacity of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will also be strengthened.
What has changed? According to crime statistics for the third quarter of 2023, South Africa's per capita homicide rate in 2022/2023 is the highest in 20 years.
Read now: Watch live: President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers 2024 State of the Union Address
