Cape Town: The South African Government’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) for 2025 has outlined significant milestones and future targets across various sectors, reflecting the nation’s comprehensive approach towards economic growth, infrastructure development, social upliftment, and energy transition.
According to South African Government News Agency, a noteworthy aspect of the address was the commemoration of historical events, marking 70 years since the adoption of the Freedom Charter and 30 years since the dawn of democracy. On a somber note, the nation mourned the loss of 14 soldiers who perished on a peace mission in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The government has prioritized economic development, aiming to boost growth to over 3% to foster investment and job creation. A substantial R100 billion in infrastructure financing is anticipated from both local and international investors, with the government planning to invest more than R940 billion over three years. State-owned companie
s will contribute R375 billion to this infrastructure push, bolstered by 12 blended finance projects worth nearly R38 billion approved through the Infrastructure Fund.
Water infrastructure is also a major focus, with the Polihlali Dam project expected to supply 490 million cubic metres of water annually to the Vaal River System. The Infrastructure Fund has secured R23 billion for seven major water projects, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable water supply.
The energy sector has seen over 300 days without load-shedding since March 2024, and the international community has pledged over $13 billion towards South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, indicating significant progress in energy stability and transition.
In addressing the visa application backlog, the government has successfully cleared over 90% of more than 300,000 pending applications. This effort is expected to facilitate easier entry for tourists and business travelers, further boosting the tourism sector that welcomed cl
ose to 9 million visitors last year.
The government is set to establish a R20 billion transformation fund annually over the next five years to support black-owned and small enterprises, along with empowering over 10,000 persons with disabilities through tailored programs. The Presidential Employment Stimulus and the Social Employment Fund have created millions of work opportunities and entrepreneurial support, highlighting the focus on job creation.
Youth empowerment remains a priority, with 235,000 work opportunities secured through the National Pathway Management Network, supported by the SAYouth.mobi platform, which has registered 4.5 million young people. The government dedicates around 60% of the national budget to the social wage, covering health, education, and public employment programs.
In education and social assistance, over 28 million people receive social grants, and more than 10.5 million learners attend no-fee public schools. The government funded over 900,000 students from poor backgrounds
for higher education last year and plans to support an additional 10,000 students through a new funding model.
Significant progress has been made in health, with 96% of people living with HIV aware of their status by March 2024, and 94% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression. New hospitals and health centers are planned, alongside efforts to locate 1.1 million people not yet on antiretroviral treatment.
Housing and rail transport developments are also underway, with 300,000 serviced stands planned for housing and over 200 new trains introduced by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa. The government aims to restore the signaling system over the next five years, improving public transport options.
Efforts to combat crime and corruption continue, with the expansion of the Detective Service and successful recovery of billions in lost revenue and state capture cases. The government has addressed 16 out of 22 action items to secure removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.
Gender-b
ased violence is being tackled with 65 Thuthuzela Care Centres and plans for additional sexual offences courts, ensuring comprehensive support across the country’s districts.
The SONA concludes with a call for a National Dialogue to define a vision for the next 30 years, ensuring that all South Africans contribute to shaping the country’s future.