The African National Congress (ANC) is preparing for the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), set to take place in the Western Cape. The party has outlined key priorities for this year’s address, which will focus on critical issues such as improving water security and addressing challenges within local government. These issues have been long-standing concerns for South Africans, many of whom have criticized the ANC for neglecting citizen welfare over the years.
According to reports from SABC News, the ANC expects President Cyril Ramaphosa to emphasize the need for action on water supply and local government reform. The party has also indicated that combating crime and corruption, alongside creating jobs, will be at the forefront of its agenda. These commitments come at a time when the ANC is facing mounting pressure following its loss of majority control in the 2024 general elections.
President Ramaphosa has echoed these priorities, reiterating them in his keynote address at the ANC’s January 8 celebrations in Khayelitsha, Western Cape. During his speech, the President acknowledged the party’s “existential crisis,” reflecting on the losses the ANC faced in the last election. This admission underscores the growing challenges the party faces in maintaining political influence and public trust.
In response to these setbacks, the ANC has begun reconfiguring its provincial structures, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, after losing majorities in both provinces. A National Executive Committee (NEC) lekgotla was convened to deliberate on the party’s future direction. As the ANC prepares for SONA 2025, it remains to be seen whether these changes will help restore public confidence and address the pressing issues that have plagued the country for years.
