Latest News & Developments
sona 2025
'There should not be load shedding in the first place': Minister Ramokgopa apologises over power cuts
Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and power utility Eskom have apologised to South African communities after implementing load shedding once again.
Assessing GNU Foundations: Are they strong enough for South Africa?
Exploring the costs of building a house in South Africa, this article draws parallels with the country's leadership and the urgent need for a solid foundation in governance to ensure a prosperous future
Treasury proposed massive social grant increases alongside 2% VAT increase
Treasury documents released on Wednesday showed that a 2% VAT increase would have injected R58 billion into the fiscal, which Godongwana said would have been used to fund the immediate projects including the revitalisation of the public railway system for the benefit of the poor and working class, hiring and retaining teachers, doctors, front line workers and other public servants, while also capacitating the government’s early childhood development programmes
Budget Speech 2025: Cosatu vows to reject VAT increase, warns it will push workers into debt
Pressure mounts on Finance minister Enoch Godongwana as trade unions warn against tax hikes on low income earners in the 2025 budget.
President Cyril Ramaphosa to reply to two-day SONA Debate
The Government of National Unity (GNU) partners glorified Ramaphosa's speech and it was one of the most powerful speeches he has ever made. This also saw the Democratic Alliance (DA) which has criticised Ramaphosa since he was president, clap hands for him.
SONA Debate | EFF's Sihle Lonzi slams Ramaphosa’s 'Paper Tiger' SONA, demands action on student debt and degrees
EFF MP Sihle Lonzi criticises the South African government for its inaction on student debt and degree delays, calling for immediate reforms to support over half a million affected students.
President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the hand-over ceremony of 14 SANDF troops killed in DRC
The remains of the 14 South African soldiers killed in the DRC by the M23 rebel group, will be handed over to the families following delays in the repatriation process.
Spears out for Shivambu as MK Party faces internal war over Hlophe's 'poorly written' SONA speech
Asked about whether the caucus and leadership were happy about Shivambu, the source said, "I cannot comment on that, but eish, his future is uncertain. "
Grand Coalition partners ANC and DA at each other's throats in SONA debate over NHI, Bela, Expropriation
The DA and ANC traded blows in the debate on the State of the Nation Address delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the first since the establishment of the Government of National Unity.
SONA Debate Day 2: MKP's Nhlamulo Ndhlela describes SONA as a 'failed state of address'
MKP MP Nhlamulo Ndhlela delivers a scathing critique of President Ramaphosa's SONA, labelling it a 'failed state of address' and calling for accountability. "
SONA Debate | Cogta Minister Hlabisa vows GNU will deliver on SONA commitments
Cogta Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa assured President Cyril Ramaphosa that the Government of National Unity (GNU) will fulfil his SONA commitments so that the promises can become reality.
SONA Debate: 'US is targeting South Africa for demanding Israel be held accountable,' say opposition parties
Opposition parties, the EFF and the MK, said that there is no genocide in the country and that the government was being targeted for defending Palestine and demanding accountability on Israel.
SONA LIVE Debate | AfriForum, SANDF, US-SA relations top agenda as MPs sit to question Ramaphosa's address
Many political parties have asked Ramaphosa to act quickly against AfriForum, which is being accused of treason, even though some may voice support for the president and his speech.
We need to fix our relationship with the US, says Gayton McKenzie over Trump, Ramaphosa impasse
Minister Gayton McKenzie discusses the importance of South Africa's wealth and its relationship with the US in a revealing interview.
South Africa hits back at Trump’s executive orders, refugee offer for economically privileged Afrikaners
However, tensions between Pretoria and Washington have been simmering for some time, with diplomatic tensions escalating since the Ukraine and Russia war, while there were also tensions further fuelled by Pretoria taking Israel to the International Criminal Court for the genocidal bombardment of Gaza by the US ally, Israel.
Overpromises and feasibility concerns over Ramaphosa plans for RSA
Ramaphosa’s address was ambitious and did not shy away from making overpromises, raising feasibility concerns about the feasibility of implementation.
SONA 2025 | Zuma’s MK Party calls Ramaphosa’s SONA an insult to South Africans
The MK Party has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of failing to deliver on key issues, including unemployment, housing, and Eskom’s stability, calling for a rejection of the government’s leadership.
SONA 2025 | PSA urges action on public sector wages and job security
In response to SONA 2025, the PSA emphasises the need for effective implementation of policies to support public servants and address economic challenges.
SONA 2025 | South Africans stand with 'Cupcake' after President Ramaphosa's 'we will not be bullied' comment
Amid rising negative foreign rhetoric, South Africans rally behind President Ramaphosa's defiant stance at SONA, declaring unity against external pressures.
SONA 2025 | Mixed reactions from GNU partners and left-wing parties to Ramaphosa's speech
Corne Mulder, the Chief Whip of the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), was among the few coalition partners to criticise President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech, describing it as "disappointing".
SONA 2025 | Ramaphosa orders half-masting of SA flag to honour 14 fallen troops in DRC
President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to the 14 soldiers who tragically lost their lives in a peacekeeping mission in the DRC.
Ramaphosa's plan to tackle unemployment is just talk and SA needs action
President Cyril Ramaphosa outlines his government's plans to tackle unemployment in South Africa by 2025, but experts question the effectiveness of his proposals and call for concrete actions.
SONA 2025: Ramaphosa fails to explain SANDF deployment in DRC
Analysts raise concerns about the lack of transparency on the part of the President in addressing the problems around stranded troops in Goma after the confrontation with the rebels, leaving at least 14 soldiers dead.
SONA 2025: Are Ramaphosa's promises just empty words?
Political analysts have criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address (Sona), arguing that it was similar to his previous address, in which promises were left unfulfilled.
SONA 2025 Reaction: 'Are we really open for business', President Ramaphosa?
President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address promises an open economy, but industry experts question the realities of doing business in South Africa amidst complex regulations.