Overview
- The address launched a three-year R156 billion programme for water infrastructure and a National Water Crisis Committee to tackle failing services.
- Ramaphosa authorised South African National Defence Force support for police operations against gangs and illicit mining in parts of Gauteng and the Western Cape.
- Government cited stabilisation gains including prolonged stretches without load-shedding, better port and rail performance, exit from the FATF grey list, easing inflation and firmer sovereign metrics.
- Economic growth remains below the GNU’s 3% goal, with the IMF projecting roughly 1.3% in 2025 and 1.4% in 2026, and youth unemployment staying acutely high despite expanded work programmes.
- Analysts and opposition parties cautioned that municipal debt to Eskom, capacity shortfalls and slow procurement risk undermining large infrastructure commitments.