SONA to be delivered against backdrop of economic underperformance

This week’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) will be delivered against a backdrop of economic underperformance‚ high unemployment‚ deeply depressed consumer and business confidence and rising government debt levels‚ says Investec economist Kamilla Kaplan.Based on recent comments from the government and Finance Minister‚ there was great cognisance of the threat of a sovereign rating downgrade to non-investment grade‚ she said.