All eyes will be on President Cyril Ramaphosa when he outlines the government’s programme of action through the 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall.
Some political analysts have admitted that this year’s address takes place at a time where the country's economic crisis has been worsened by Eskom's woes, amongst many pressing matters.
Speaking at a media conference, Secretary to Parliament Xolile George said there would be a "minimisation of load shedding" to accommodate SONA.
Author and chairperson of the Rivonia Circle said while rolling blackouts are the most pressing national issue, the truth is that our crisis now runs far deeper than rolling blackouts.
Democratic Alliance member of parliament, Kevin Mileham has pointed out that the high unemployment rate may be attributed to the 16 years of loadshedding that the country has been plunged into. In an interview Mileham added:
At the SONA, the President needs to put concrete plans on the table of what will be done, when and how it will be done.
When reflecting on the past six SONA’s, senior economist Dirk Forslund expects the President to turn his attention to what is failing in the country because the infrastructure is falling apart.
ATM President, Vuyo Zungula has shared that the political party has no confidence in the President.
Seasoned political analyst, Asanda Ngoasheng said that this is one of the most difficult SONA for opposition parties because they are in part responsible for the country's current state, as they have not provided a compelling story for South Africans to vote for them, leaving the nation stuck with the ANC as government.
Ngoasheng added that the manner in which political parties acted was appalling when it comes to the coalitions in the municipalities that they have been able to govern and this is making South Africans to be scared about potential coalition governments at national and provincial level.
When it comes to loadshedding, departing Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter announced that there could be some relief from power cuts next month as 3,000 megawatts will be added to the grid from neighbouring countries.
