WRAP SONA | Ramaphosa says government will continue with the R350 social relief of distress grant

Work done to protect whistleblowers

“We are working to capacitate the Witness Protection Unit and will introduce amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act and Witness Protection Act to strengthen protections for whistleblowers.”

Ramaphosa lauds chief justice Raymond Zondo for work done through state capture commission of inquiry

“As a country, we owe Chief Justice Zondo, the Commission staff and all those who provided testimony a huge debt of gratitude for their extraordinary public service.”

Government will continue with the R350 social relief of distress grant

We will ensure that existing social grants are increased to cushion the poor against rising inflation. This will be set out in the budget by the Minister of Finance.
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 9, 2023

Ramaphosa says they will continue the Social Relief of Distress Grant, which currently reaches around 7.8 million people. This is to counter the rising cost of living. #SONA2023
— Phathu Luvhengo (@LuvhengoPhathu) February 9, 2023

Solutions for economic growth

Through the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, R1.5 trillion will be invested in our economy over the next five years in new frontiers such as renewable energy, green hydrogen and electric vehicles. #SONA2023 #justtransition https://t.co/VhX6ug891l
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 9, 2023

Ramaphosa declares national state of disaster with immediate effect to respond to the electricity crisis

Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster with immediate effect to respond to the electricity crisis.

Cogta minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has gazetted the declaration of the State of Disaster, which will begin with immediate effect.

The state of disaster will enable us to provide practical measures that we need to take to support businesses in the food production, storage and retail supply chain, including for the rollout of generators, solar panels and uninterrupted power supply.https://t.co/VhX6ug891l
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) February 9, 2023

Government's plans on ending load-shedding

Ramaphosa said government is working on existing solutions to end worsening load-shedding, the high unemployment, crime as well as the dwindling economy. "There are no easy solutions to ending these challenges", Ramaphosa said

"Our country has, for many months, endured a debilitating electricity shortage that has caused immense damage to our economy."

Sona disrupted

The state of the nation address proceedings were suspended on Thursday for 10 minutes by national assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula after the EFF disrupted president Cyril Ramaphosa and had violent clashes with the security.

The EFF was asked to leave the Cape Town city hall chambers after they violently clashed with security personnel.

Ramaphosa is due to deliver his seventh state of the nation address on Thursday to parliament at the City Hall in Cape Town.

The president is under pressure to outline concise plans on how the government plans to curb socioeconomic challenges such as worsening load-shedding that has affected many households and businesses.

Ramaphosa is also expected to address the economic recovery plans in place as well as what is being done to resolve the high unemployment rate.

PODCAST | Sona suspended briefly after EFF refuses to go without a fight

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