SA at a crossroads: comparing Ramaphosa’s 2026 Sona with Zuma’s from a decade earlier

A detailed comparison between President Cyril Ramaphosas 2026 State of the Nation Address (Sona) and that of Jacob Zuma from a decade earlier reveals significant economic improvements despite ongoing challenges. From a stabilising economy to improved electricity supply, South Africa appears to have turned a corner — but how much credit can Ramaphosa truly claim?

- AAKASH BRAMDEO.

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa and former president Jacob Zuma. | BONGIWE MCHUNU

(BONGIWE MCHUNU)

THE balcony at the Cape Town City Hall is a popular tourist destination.

It was here that Nelson Mandela delivered his first speech as a free man. That was 36 years ago, a time when he was very much the man of the moment.

Back then Cyril Ramaphosa was the support act — holding the mic as Madiba addressed the gathering.

Since then, Ramaphosa has embarked on a long walk himself. It is one that has seen him become president.

It has not been an easy walk, with challenges including an inquiry into state capture, Covid-19 and the July 2021 riots.

How effective a president he has been remains a subject of debate.

But if you compare his latest State of the Nation Address (Sona) with the one delivered 10 years ago by Jacob Zuma, one thing becomes clear: South Africa is in a far better place today than it was a decade ago.

Admittedly, not all of it has been Ramaphosa’s doing.

In 2016, the economy was starting to tank when former president Zuma took to the podium to deliver the Sona.

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank had both predicated the economy would grow by less than 1% that year. As a result, there were fears that South Africa would need to borrow more money to make ends meet.

In his address, Zuma rightly pointed out a more ominous development.

“Our country seems to be at risk of losing its investment grade status from ratings agencies. If that happens, it will become more expensive for us to borrow money from abroad to finance our programmes of building a better life for all, especially the poor.”

Ten years later, Ramaphosa has every reason to be more optimistic.