Cape town: When President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on the evening of 12 February 2026, the setting will once again carry deep constitutional and historical symbolism. Parliament is set to convene a joint sitting of the two Houses at the Cape Town City Hall - the same venue where former President Nelson Mandela first addressed South Africans on 11 February 1990, shortly after his release from prison.
According to South African Government News Agency, the address, scheduled for 19:00, is designed to reach millions of South Africans at home, underscoring its role as one of the most significant moments on the national political calendar. More than ceremonial, SONA remains a constitutional event called in terms of Section 42(5) of the Constitution. It is one of the rare occasions that brings together the executive, legislature, and judiciary under one roof, affirming Parliament's central role in holding government to account.
SONA provides the President with an opportunity to reflect on the state of the nation across political, economic, and social fronts - both domestically and within a shifting global context. It is also a moment of accountability, where the Head of State reports to citizens on government's performance and sets out the programme of action for the year ahead. Crucially, the address has direct budgetary implications. Following the SONA, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will deliver his Budget Speech in Parliament, on the heels of which departments will follow suit.
Parliament, which is constitutionally mandated to exercise oversight over public finances, may accept, amend, or reject departmental budgets to ensure alignment with the priorities announced by the President. In the days following the address, Members of Parliament will debate SONA over two days, before President Ramaphosa replies and closes the debate.
Against this backdrop, SONA 2026 arrives at a pivotal juncture for the seventh Administration - nearly a year after Cabinet adopted the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024-2029 as the blueprint guiding government's work. Government's own assessment of MTDP implementation paints a picture of cautious progress, mixed with persistent structural challenges.
Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, said during a recent briefing on the Assessment of Progress in the Implementation of the Medium-Term Development Plan 2024 - 2029 on 23 January 2026, that the MTDP provides a whole-of-government framework which aligns planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation across all spheres of government. The plan is anchored by three interrelated and interlinked strategic priorities: driving inclusive economic growth and job creation; reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
On the economic front, South Africa recorded a 0.8% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the second quarter of 2025 - the strongest quarterly performance since 2022. Employment also showed signs of recovery, with 248,000 jobs added in the third quarter, lowering the official unemployment rate to 31.9%. The country's exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list further bolstered investor confidence, while the achievement of a primary budget surplus strengthened fiscal credibility.
Infrastructure investment continues to anchor government's growth strategy, with over R1 trillion set aside for public infrastructure over the medium term. Industrial policy interventions have also yielded results, with new investments worth more than R44 billion secured across sector masterplans. However, delays in project preparation, procurement inefficiencies, and municipal capacity constraints continue to slow infrastructure delivery.
Social protection remains the state's most immediate line of defense against poverty and inequality, with more than 19 million South Africans receiving social grants. In education, early childhood development has seen notable gains, and health outcomes reflect a similar mix of progress and pressure. Despite these interventions, inequality remains entrenched, with South Africa's Gini coefficient still hovering around 0.63.
As President Ramaphosa prepares to address Parliament at the City Hall, the symbolism of the venue will not be lost on South Africans. The setting evokes a moment of national renewal, reminiscent of the promise of democratic governance and constitutional accountability.