SONA 2021
Using the metaphor of South Africa’s resilient fynbos vegetation, President Cyril Ramaphosa took South Africans through the government’s plans to defeat Covid-19, recover from the economic damage wrought by years of economic stagnation and exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, and fight crime and corruption.
The extraordinary thing about the fynbos ecosystem, unparalleled in the diversity of its flora, is that for it to rejuvenate it must burn at extremely high temperatures at least once every 20 years.
“Like a wildfire that sweeps across the mountainous ranges where the fynbos grows, a deadly pandemic has swept across the world, leaving devastation in its path. And yet, like the hardy fynbos of our native land, we too have proven to be resilient in many ways,” he said.
“More than anything else, this crisis has revealed the true character of our remarkable nation. It has revealed the spirit of the people who refused to be defeated. It is this South African spirit that must drive our resolve to build a new and more equal economy and a better, more just society. The year ahead must be a time for change, for progress and for rebirth.”
SONA 2021 Translations
- State of the Nation Address 2021 - English
- State of the Nation Address 2021 - Sepedi
- State of the Nation Address 2021 - Setswana
- State of the Nation Address 2021 - Afrikaans
- State of the Nation Address 2021 - isiNdebele
- State of the Nation Address 2021 - isiXhosa
- State of the Nation Address 2021 - isiZulu
- State of the Nation Address 2021 - Sesotho
- State of the Nation Address 2021 - Siswati
- State of the Nation Address 2021 - Xitsonga
- State of the Nation Address 2021 - Tshivenda
Gallery
President Cyril Ramaphosa puts the final touches to his 2021 State of the Nation Address, which sets out the government's plans for South Africa's future. Image: GCIS
Due to Covid-19 restrictions this year's State of the Nation Address will be delivered on the evening of 11 February, with an audience of only 50 in the Parliamentary Chamber. Other Members of Parliament and guests will watch via a virtual platform. Image: GCIS
Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Sisulu views the impact made through National Development Agency grants to support income generation and gender-based violence and femicide interventions.
As part of the government's oversight visits to view progress made on undertakings made in the 2020 State of the Nation Address, Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Sisulu visited the Mhani Gingi Centre for Women and Children, in Manenberg, Cape Town.
South Africa's 2021 State of the Nation Address, made by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the two Houses of Parliament, takes place on the 31st anniversary of former President Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.
The annual State of the Nation Address is an opportunity for the President to update South Africa and the world on the progress that has been made since the last address, a year before.