What Cyril should say tonight

More Promises? Wish List on How President Unpacks State of the Nation

- Ina Opperman

Various people and organisations have different wishes for tonight when President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his State of the Nation Address (Sona) for 2025 and he is expected to talk about the usual suspects, such as crime, corruption, electricity, and more.

However, Wayne Duvenage, CEO of civil action organisation Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), said he firstly wants to hear Ramaphosa explain how the government intends to win the war on corruption.

"Outa hopes to hear a State of the Nation Address with innovative solutions and convincing plans to get organised crime and corruption under control," said Duvenage.

"While recent geopolitical developments in the US and [Democratic Republic of the Congo] will no doubt attract a lot of the president's attention, Outa wants him to use Sona 2025 to tell us how his government intends to win the war on corruption.

"We are tired of the lip service about plans to prioritise the fight against corruption and we want clear, action-oriented plans with deadlines, along with the funding being built into the upcoming budget 2025."

Duvenage said Ramaphosa has an enormous Cabinet and therefore he wants to hear a comprehensive, realistic and tough plan from this large group.