WATCH LIVE | IOL panel breaks down SONA 2026

WATCH LIVE: IOL is covering President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address live via our social media channels and on YouTube .

IOL brings you the coverage live from the arrival of guests on the red carpet, sharing their expectations of Ramaphosa's 10th SONA, to his address, reactions from politicians and guests after he delivers the address, and an in-studio post-SONA breakdown hosted by IOL Editor Lance Witten, with a panel comprising seasoned political analyst and IOL contributor Dr Reneva Fourie, Cape Argus Editor Liesl van der Schyff, and Political Analyst and Trade Specialist Chloé Maluleke.

Follow our live stream on YouTube from 4pm and follow the conversation using the hashtag #IOLSONA on our social media channels on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Post-SONA breakdown

In the studio, we have a post-Sona briefing panel with IOL Editor Lance Witten, political analyst and IOL contributor Dr Reneva Fourie, Cape Argus Editor Liesl van der Schyff, and political analyst and trade specialist Chloé Maluleke.

Opening the discussion are Witten, Fourie and van der Schyff. 

Witten described the SONA as an "interesting" but mixed one, with not too many empty promises. "Despite opening the SONA honouring the women who marched in 1956, he has failed women in South Africa." 

"I think this time he related more to ordinary South Africans. He touched on key issues like crime and service delivery. Now we have to see if there is implementation," remarked Fourie.

Van der Schyff said: "The president made big promises year after year, but this year was about implementation. The biggest issue is the water in our taps. People in Joburg don't even have water.

Fourie stated: "Initially, we had the electricity crisis, and it affected ANC. Now water is a major issue. I have been on the receiving end of not having water and power.

On whether or not the deployment of the SANDF is a good idea, they weighed in. 

"Yes and no. How will this work logistically? How much will it cost us?" said Van der Schyff.

Witten stated that the police and army may not have the de-escalation capability.

Fourie said: "We come from an era of depression. Using these oppressive means is not the best solution. Strong action is required. Intervention should be specific and short-term but should address the root causes, in our case, unemployment." 

On the topic of task teams and commissions, there is some scepticism.

"I don't think we will see any convictions. Have we seen any action for Zondo?" asked Van der Schyff. 

Fourie echoed the sentiments, saying it's just a waste of taxpayers' money and resources. "Despite all of the exposure and interventions, there is no action."

On the high-speed rail, Fourie said: "In principle, I am opposed to privatisation of state-owned assets. I agree that there are far too many trucks on the road that contribute to accidents and can damage infrastructure, but it will affect the rural sector. So I am not too optimistic. The benefits we see is they are selling off the assets. State-owned enterprises can really bolster job creation, but it's going to the private sector.   

Chloé Maluleke agreed, saying, "It's tired because we all know how it is going to end."

Ramaphosa also brought up the minerals in his SONA. Fourie remarked: "It will not be the people benefiting from the extraction of the minerals, but the companies."

Data centres and new technology were in the spotlight, but Maluleke said it should not be a priority. "It's all good and well that we want to get into AI and data centres, but can we afford it? Do we have the resources? We can upskill, but AI and data centres should not be a priority."

Maluleke said that as a young person, the speech doesn't spark hope of job creation and education, speaking about her own experience with NSFAS.

So is this Ramaphosa's last SONA?

Fourie said: "He played the game very well and said what the left wanted to hear, while pushing for a DA agenda. It is going in the direction that DA wanted to go. But we are conceding to the demands of the US without making it obvious. It is almost time ANC's elective conference but I do think the president will stay because the ANC doesn't have a credible replacement right now."

Updates

Ramaphosa maintained that South Africa will not be bullied by another country and will continue to support and champion for the Global South, as well as Palestine and Cuba.

Ramaphosa announced that the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants will be continued until further notice.

"This year, we will redesign the grant to more effectively support livelihoods, skills development, work opportunities and productive activity. We know that most of the money provided through social grants is spent on food and transport."

In his address, Ramaphosa said that no foreign national should be barred from institutions such as hospitals and schools.

Ramaphosa announced that tourist visas for South Africa will be digitised. This will allow visa processing within 24 hours in a bid to boost tourism and ease travel. The government also hopes to make areas safer for tourists to visit. 

The government has declared Foot-And-Mouth disease as a national disaster, and a total of 28 million Foot-and-Mouth disease vaccines are needed over the next few months. SAHPRA will give approval for the vaccine. 

There will be a re-introduction of high-speed rails. Ramaphosa said government is looking into high-speed rail projects, including routes from eThekwini to Gauteng and Gauteng to Musina.

Ramaphosa promises that load reduction will end by next year. Ramaphosa said there is a plan to reduce the high cost of electricity, adding that affordability and energy stability are key to economic growth and household relief.

WATER CRISIS: Ramaphosa highlighted the water crisis, saying water is the most important issue for many people in South Africa. The government will elevate its response to the water crisis to a national water committee. 

He said that the government is in the final stages of establishing a national water infrastructure agency and damaged infrastructure is being repaired.

A total of R156 billion has been committed to the development of construction and water resource infrastructure over the next three years.

Ramaphosa has praised the Government of National Unity (GNU), declaring that the economy is gaining momentum, but he also warned that progress will collapse without unity, discipline and mutual respect.

Read more here.

STATE ENTITIES: The president said that the government is establishing an illicit disruption programme. He further stated that the State Security Agency will vet the senior management of SAPS. 

SANDF AND POLICE FOR ZAMA ZAMAS: "Our primary goal this year is step up the fight against organised crime and organised syndicates," promised Ramaphosa. He added that the country cannot fight organised crime by "treading softly."

In addition to that, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed to support police in tackling rampant gang violence and illegal mining operations in the Western Cape and Gauteng.

STRONGER SOUTH AFRICA: "We can only be strong when we are equal," said Ramaphosa. He added that he envisions a future where every child has an education and the corrupt face consequences.

Ramaphosa said we as a country are stronger now than we were a year ago. "Interest is coming down, inflation is at its lowest level in 20 years. The rand strengthened against the dollar."

RAMAPHOSA DELIVERS SONA: President Cyril Ramaphosa started his address punctually at 7pm without disruption after the praise singer Ria Reen sang. 

He started his speech by commending the women of the country and the women who marched in 1956. He also acknowledged the youth and those who took steps to change the "injustices of the past."

At 6pm, media was instructed to stop interviewing dignitaries and MPs. They will now commence with the ceremonial parade.

MK PARTY WEIGHS IN: MK Party MP Mzwanele Manyi stated President Cyril Ramaphosa’s SONA will be what he described as another round of empty promises, believing that it will be the same as every year. “It’s going to be another round of empty promises. Last year we were told that some R940 billion in infrastructure development was going to happen. It didn’t take off the ground.”

Read more here. 

EXPECTATIONS FOR SONA ON RED CARPET: GOOD MP Brett Herron hopes for the president to address food insecurity and inequality, among others, in his SONA. Herron told IOL that the Foot and Mouth disease was an "unnecessarily long crisis".

When asked what Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde expects from the SONA, he said: "If there is one thing, it's about policing. We must change things. We can't just say we are going to change but do nothing. Another thing is the economy and jobs. Nothing gives you dignity like a job, and nothing puts food on the table like a job." 

Regarding the water crisis, Winde says more pumps are coming online, and work is underway to tackle it. "It's about investing long-term in infrastructure," said Winde. 

"Let's make sure that children are ready for Grade R and Grade 1 and that children are prepared for school," Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. She added that SONA is about action.

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa, Gayton McKenzie, praised the Patriotic Alliance on the red carpet. "We are the fastest growing political party," said McKenzie, adding that in the Western Cape, the DA is dead and "in the ICU".

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber spoke to IOL on the red carpet, hoping that issues plaguing Home Affairs would be tackled. "We have built a powerful system at Home Affairs," said Schreiber, hailing the recent Smart ID moves the department made. "But we would like to hear an upgrade for that in the SONA. We will then be able to take decisive steps against illegal immigration etc." 

Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has vowed to end load reduction by the end of October. Ramokgopa expressed confidence that load shedding is a thing of the past.

PROTEST ACTION: Scores of EFF protesters outside the City Hall are calling on urgent action on unemployment and the water crisis. 

FIRE ALERT: Motorists are urged to exercise caution as a fire burns near Hospital Bend.

Kevin Jacobs, Spokesperson for City Traffic Services stated: "Phillip Kgosana incoming is closed at Hospital Bend and all vehicles are being diverted towards Nelson Mandela Boulevard due to a fire in the area. City firefighters are on scene and there are also two choppers water bombing the area. This is an ongoing incident."

WATER CRISIS: President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly instructed Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa to urgently address Johannesburg’s water crisis instead of attending the 2026 SONA.

Read more here. 

WHO WILL ATTEND SONA?: President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation Address (Sona) live at Parliament in Cape Town on Thursday at 7pm. 

While MPs, diplomats, and former presidents, including Jacob Zuma and Kgalema Motlanthe, will begin arriving at the Cape Town City Hall from this afternoon, Ramaphosa is expected to outline the government’s plans for the year and address some of the biggest challenges crippling South Africa.

A tight security net has been thrown around the City Hall, with several surrounding roads closed and traffic officers posted around the area. Pedestrian access around the precinct has also been limited.

Read more here  

Speaker of Parliament Thoko Didiza says the R7 million budget for the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) is justified and significantly lower than last year’s allocation, which was pushed up by unforeseen weather disruptions.

IOL has previously reported that Parliament allocated just over R7 million for this year’s address — less than half of the R15.5 million budgeted for the 2025 event, during which approximately R12.3 million was ultimately spent.

Read more here.

The city stated that traffic flow in and around the CBD will be affected before, during, and after the event. Some of these closures will be in place until February 28, 2026. Available parking space in some areas will also be affected.

Read more here.