Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address is test of whether electoral promises are being honoured
06 February 2025 - 05:00
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Preparations at City Hall ahead of the state of the nation address in Cape Town. Picture: Gallo Images/Ziyaad Douglas
South Africa’s election last year marked a turning point for our country with the establishment of the GNU. That being said, democracy does not begin and end at the ballot box — it requires continuous engagement from citizens.
South Africans need to critically evaluate President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address (Sona), comparing his words with promises made on the campaign trail.
A government is only as accountable as its citizens demand it to be. Too often political engagement fades after election season, as if casting a vote every five years is enough. It is not. True democracy happens in the spaces between elections — when citizens scrutinise policies, challenge leaders and demand transparency. This means attending local meetings, leveraging civic organisations and using digital tools such as GovChat to ensure accountability.
Democracy is not about waiting — it is about acting. Sona is not just a speech; it is a test of whether electoral promises are being honoured. South Africans must remain engaged, use technology to track governance and make democracy a daily practice. A government that is always monitored is a government that must deliver.
Eldrid Jordaan Joburg
The FM welcomes concise letters from readers. They can be sent to fmmail@fm.co.za
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
LETTER: Sona is not just a speech
Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address is test of whether electoral promises are being honoured
South Africa’s election last year marked a turning point for our country with the establishment of the GNU. That being said, democracy does not begin and end at the ballot box — it requires continuous engagement from citizens.
South Africans need to critically evaluate President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state of the nation address (Sona), comparing his words with promises made on the campaign trail.
A government is only as accountable as its citizens demand it to be. Too often political engagement fades after election season, as if casting a vote every five years is enough. It is not. True democracy happens in the spaces between elections — when citizens scrutinise policies, challenge leaders and demand transparency. This means attending local meetings, leveraging civic organisations and using digital tools such as GovChat to ensure accountability.
Democracy is not about waiting — it is about acting. Sona is not just a speech; it is a test of whether electoral promises are being honoured. South Africans must remain engaged, use technology to track governance and make democracy a daily practice. A government that is always monitored is a government that must deliver.
Eldrid Jordaan
Joburg
The FM welcomes concise letters from readers. They can be sent to fmmail@fm.co.za
NATASHA MARRIAN: An X-word trigger that fires a blank
LETTER: Railing against Transnet
LETTER: Medical aids’ late joiner fees hurt
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.