SONA 2021 reactions: We’ve heard this all before
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President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his fourth state of the nation address (SONA) on Thursday evening, looking to inspire the country with words of hope and deliver promises of progress after a year in which it was ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown.
While the president hit some of the right notes – like extending support to businesses and employees who continue to suffer the effects of lockdown – some of his message fell flat when projected onto the economic reality of the country.
Talk of ‘post-apartheid’ cities seems a fantasy when existing cities are falling to mismanagement and disrepair; and hopeful words on growing the economy and resolving a decades-long power crisis ring empty as rolling blackouts continue, and debt levels shoot up as the government dithers over reforms.