Ramaphosa's promises in the spotlight

AS ALL eyes will be on President Cyril Ramaphosa when he delivers the 2026 State of the Nation Address (Sona), the citizens will be eager to know whether he has fulfilled the dozens of promises he made when Parliament was opened last year.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the 2026 State of the Nation Address at the Cape Town City Hall tonight. | GCIS

Last year, Ramaphosa promised, among other things, the preparations for a National Dialogue in which South Africans were to chart a new path for the country.

He had said the Foundations and representatives had been working to unpack the purpose, content, and modalities of the National Dialogue, which was to include the Public Dialogues.

The Dialogue, which was budgeted at nearly R500 million, saw foundations withdraw from the National Dialogue Preparatory Task Team, citing violations of its core principles.

While there was an event hosted by Unisa, the Public Dialogues have yet to take place amid the setting up of some preparatory committees.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile was recently quoted as saying it could still be a while before the second session of the Dialogue takes place.

"So it will take a few months. It's a very involved, citizen-driven process. The government is supportive of the process," said Mashatile.