Cape Town: President Cyril Ramaphosa is fully prepared and focused ahead of his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, says Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya. Addressing a media briefing in Cape Town on Wednesday, Magwenya emphasised that despite various pressing national matters, the President remains undistracted and committed to delivering his address.
According to South African Government News Agency, Magwenya stated, “He’s very ready for tomorrow. Typically, in our office, there’s never a time when we are dealing with one issue. The sort of typical day, week or month in our office involves dealing with multiple issues at the same time.” He further reassured that the President’s office was addressing issues as required and remained focused on preparations for tomorrow’s SONA, highlighting the excitement surrounding the event, being the first SONA under the seventh administration and the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Magwenya noted, “Tomorrow’s address will have received inputs from Ministers that come from other parties who are responsible for their respective portfolios, and so tomorrow’s address will be very much reflective of the Government of National Unity, and we are finding a great deal of excitement.” President Ramaphosa is set to deliver the 2025 SONA on Thursday at 7 pm at Cape Town City Hall, before a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.
The address, themed ‘A nation that works, for all,’ holds added significance as it coincides with South Africa’s 30 years of freedom and democracy and its Presidency of the G20. “The annual address gives us an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a nation and recommits us to working together to build the country we envisioned at the start of our democracy,” Magwenya said. He added that the President would outline the task of the government of national unity in implementing the three strategic priorities of the Medium-Term Development Plan.
Following the SONA, President Ramaphosa will participate in the annual Presidential Golf Challenge (PGC) on Friday at the Atlantic Beach Golf Estate, Melkbosstrand, to raise funds for charities. The PGC is hosted by the Ministry of Public Service and Administration in partnership with the private sector. Magwenya explained that the challenge raises funds for charities designated by the sitting President and provides an opportunity for networking between government and the private sector.
“The proceeds will be donated to the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, which will in turn distribute funds to deserving charities to improve education and promote skills development in the communities across the country,” Magwenya noted. The President will partner with an 11-year-old golfer Shalom Madlala from Malelane in the Mpumalanga province, a provincial player in the South African Golf Development Board’s (SAGDB) program.