South Africans are urged to tune in on Thursday evening as President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) from Cape Town’s City Hall.
The highly anticipated speech, scheduled for 7 pm, marks the first SONA of the seventh administration and comes at a crucial time for the country following the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU).
Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Kenny Morolong, has called on citizens to engage with the address through various media platforms, including television, radio, and social media.
“This SONA will outline the three priorities and strategic direction of the GNU: driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state,” Morolong told SAnews.
The establishment of the GNU followed an election in which no single political party secured enough votes to govern alone. As a result, this year’s SONA is expected to set the tone for collaborative governance and a unified approach to the nation’s most pressing issues.
A Roadmap for Economic Growth and Stability
President Ramaphosa’s address will lay out the government’s priorities for the year ahead, focusing on economic revival, job creation, and improving living standards for ordinary South Africans. Morolong emphasized the significance of the speech, particularly for the country’s youth, many of whom are grappling with unemployment.
“It is crucial for young people, especially those seeking employment, to listen to the President’s plans on economic stimulation and job opportunities. This is a platform where the President takes the nation into his confidence regarding government programmes, plans, and achievements,” Morolong said.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that the speech will reflect on past achievements and provide a roadmap for the country’s future.
“During SONA, the President often underscores the need to build on past successes, and this year’s address will be no different. His reflections are going to be quite important as they will guide our government on the most intricate matters of service delivery,” he noted.
Commemorating 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy
This year’s SONA is especially significant because it coincides with South Africa’s 30th anniversary of democracy and marks the country’s Presidency of the G20, adding an international dimension to the address.
As the nation awaits the President’s speech, Morolong encouraged South Africans to actively engage with the policies and priorities that will shape the country’s trajectory in the years ahead.
“We look forward to a SONA that will not just bring hope to an ordinary South African who is jobless but will also stimulate businesses to continue playing their role as partners in development,” he said.
President Ramaphosa’s address is expected to highlight key government achievements, such as economic reforms, social progress, and strengthened partnerships. The speech will also reaffirm the administration’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, resilient future for all South Africans.
Road closures and Parking Restrictions
The 2025 State of The Nation Address on Thursday 6 February will be followed by the SONA debate and reply on 11,12 and 13 February.
Due to this ceremony, which will be held at Cape Town City Hall, motorists and pedestrians are advised of parking restrictions, temporary road closures in and around the Cape Town City Hall from 1 to 19 February, and the complete closure around the City Hall on 6 February 2025.
ROAD CLOSURES FROM 1 – 19 FEBRUARY 2025:
The following roads will be closed from 07:00 on 1 February to 23:59 on 16 February 2025:
- Corporation Street: between Darling and Longmarket Streets
- Curbside fencing around the perimeter of the Cape Town City Hall
- Corporation Street: 1.8m from the KFC curb in the taxi zone from Darling to Longmarket Streets
- Curbside fencing around the perimeter of Cape Town City Hall, Darling Street, Parade Street and the centre of Longmarket Street
- A pedestrian gate will be erected on the corner of Longmarket and Corporation Streets.
ROAD CLOSURES FOR REHEARSAL FROM 4 – 7 FEBRUARY 2025:
The following roads will be closed from 06:00 – 23:59:
- Darling Street: between Buitenkant and Lower Plein Streets
- Parade Street: between Darling and Caledon Streets
- Closing Parade: Corporation Street from Longmarket to Castle Streets
- Castle Street: from Corporation to Buitenkant Streets
Curbside fencing around the perimeter of the Cape Town City Hall:
- Castle Street on the pavement in keeping with the tree line
- Parade to Corporation Streets: from the left of the library door to the curb, running on the library side of the curb to Corporation Street
- Parade Street is to be closed with gates.
- Darling Street: closed at Buitenkant and Corporation Streets with gates.
- Darling Street is to be fenced on Parade in front of the statue, and then dog-leg into the tree line and continue to Buitenkant Street.
- Buitenkant Street is fenced on the Parade curb from Castle to Darling Streets.
- Corporation Street is fenced across the Parade from Darling and Castle Streets.
The following roads are to be closed for rehearsals from 17:00 – 20:00 (4-5 February 2025):
- Buitenkant Street: from Castle to Glynn Streets (including all side streets)
- Roeland Street: from Buitenkant to Brandweer Streets
- Harrington Street: between Darling and Roeland Streets
- Roeland Street: closed up to Hope and Brandweer Streets
- Parade Street: between Darling and Caledon Streets
- Caledon Street: between Parade and Corporation Streets
PARKING RESTRICTIONS:
In the following areas from 16:00 on Wednesday, 5 February 2025, to 23:59 on Thursday, 6 February 2025:
- Roeland Street: from Brandweer to Plein Streets
- Commercial Street
- Buitenkant Street: from Glynn to Castle Streets
- Darling Street: from Sir Lowry to Plein Streets
- Hanover Street: from Darling to Tenant Streets
- Caledon Street: from Corporation to Buitenkant Streets
- Corporation Street: from Darling to Albertus Streets
- Parade Street: between Darling and Albertus Streets
- Plein Street: between Darling and Longmarket Streets
ROAD CLOSURES ON 6 FEBRUARY 2025:
Road Closures in the following areas from 05:00 to 23:59:
- Darling Street: from Lower Plein to Corporation Streets
- Hanover Street: from Darling to Tenant Streets
- Longmarket Street: between Plein and Corporation Streets
- Corporation Street: between Longmarket and Caledon Streets
- Longmarket Street: between Plein and Buitenkant Streets
- Parade Street: from Albertus to Darling Streets
Curbside fencing around the perimeter:
- Gate to be placed on the corner of Lower Plein and Darling Streets with fencing on both sides of the curb, interlocking at corners of Corporation Street
- Gate to be placed on the corner of Lower Plein and Longmarket Streets with fencing on both sides of the curb, interlocking at Corporation Street
- Gate to be placed on the corner of Caledon and Corporation Streets with fencing on both sides of the curb, interlocking at the corners of Longmarket Street
- Gate to be placed on the corner of Parade and Caledon Streets with fencing on both sides of the curb, interlocking at Longmarket Street
- Longmarket Street: between the Library and Campus, next to Buitenkant Street
- Buitenkant Street: from Castle to Glynn Streets (including all side streets)
- Roeland Street: from Buitenkant to Brandweer Streets
Road Closures in the following areas from 17:00 to 23:59:
- Lower Plein Street: between Darling and Strand Streets (local access)
- Plein Street: between Darling and Spin Streets
- Bureau and Spin Streets: between Adderley and Plein Streets
- Darling Street: between Adderley and Lower Plein Streets
Road Closures in the following areas from 17:45 to 20:00
- Klipper Road, Newlands: from Main Road (M4) to Newlands Avenue
- Princess Anne Avenue, Newlands: from Newlands Avenue to Union Avenue
- Newlands Avenue, Newlands: from Dean Street to Princess Anne Avenue
- Dean Street, Newlands, westbound: from Main Road (M4) to Newlands Avenue
- M3, Union Avenue, Rhodes Drive, Philip Kgosana Drive (De Waal Drive), Roeland Street,
- City-bound carriageway: from Newlands Avenue to city centre
- Woolsack Drive, Rondebosch, westbound: between Main Road (M4) and Rhodes Drive (M3)
- Anzio Road, Observatory: from Main Road (M4) to Philip Kgosana Drive (De Waal Drive) (M3)
- N2, Settlers Way City-bound carriageway: from Main Road (M4) to city centre
- Roeland Street: between Buitenkant and Brandweer Streets
- Buitenkant Street: between Roeland and Darling Streets