I was not able to listen to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in real time as I was attending to other matters. At the first opportunity I took time to listen to the President and my ears were primed to listen out to what he would say concerning matters related to Social Policy.

Social Protection and Poverty alleviation

The President credited expansion of the Social Protection System for reducing the number of people living in food poverty. Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) defines food poverty as “the inability of households to afford the minimum required daily energy intake, set at a Food Poverty Line (FPL) of R663 per person per month (as of April 2022).” The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant- most often referred to as the “COVID grant” has been a major contributor to the reduction.

South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) has three core strategic priorities, one which is reduction of poverty and tackling the high cost of living. This priority was reaffirmed in the SONA. The Presidential Employment Stimulus encompasses programmes such as the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and the Community Work Programme (CWP), and they are central to the provision of income and income generating opportunities.

Education

South Africa’s Class of 2025 Matric results were celebrated as the highest pass rate in South Africa’s history. President Ramaphosa noted that more than two-thirds of Bachelor passes came from schools in the most disadvantaged communities.

In my years as a Development Economist, the Education and Health sectors have been my main areas of operation. The recommitment made in the SONA to the vision of every child receiving a “decent education and an opportunity to work and thrive”; resonates fully with me.

Mention of decent education invokes the need for full roll out of the National Minimum Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure, provision of adequate learning materials and assurance of an enabling environment for learners. The 25th of February Budget Speech by the Minister of Finance will signal exactly how committed the government is in offering opportunities for children to work and thrive.

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

Growing up there is a statement I would hear often cited- “Water is life.” Indeed, water is essential for all life, including humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms. Having been based in Cape Town for more than two decades, I was part of the ‘Countdown to Day Zero’ and that period underscored how important this resource is in our daily existence.

During the SONA, President Ramaphosa announced the establishment of the National Water Crisis Committee- a new structure for coordinating a national response to water shortages, modeled after the energy crisis committee. Despite some audible guffaws from the gallery of MPs- which I read to mean “not another committee”, I look forward to an end to water shortages, in the same way the days of loadshedding are behind (most of) us.

Over the next three years, the South African government has committed R156 billion for water and sanitation infrastructure. Major projects include the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and the Ntabelanga Dam (Mzimvubu Water Project) in the Eastern Cape. A new R54 billion incentive for metros was introduced to reform water, sanitation, and electricity services, ensuring revenue is reinvested into fixing pipes and pumping stations.

Speaking of water, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) at the 39th Ordinary Session held on 14 February 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, adopted as theme for the year, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063. I will explore this further in another post, so I don’t deviate from the SONA focus.

Health Sector

President Ramaphosa in his speech emphasized the progressive realization of the right to healthcare (enshrined in the Constitution) as a cornerstone of the administration’s agenda. Continued investment in clinics and health facilities was highlighted, particularly in areas recently affected by catastrophic flooding (Limpopo and Mpumalanga).

Having done some health systems strengthening work in Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, I am familiar with infrastructure challenges faced in several communities. I, however, take this opportunity to applaud the tremendous work being done by health personnel under often strenuous conditions.

Child Health & Nutrition, Child Protection

Approximately 25% of children under five in South Africa suffer from stunting, a high prevalence rate indicating chronic undernutrition, poverty, and inadequate living conditions. Stunting occurs when a child’s height-for-age is low compared to healthy children in the same reference population.

The President explicitly linked the expansion of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant to a measurable reduction in the number of people living in food poverty. This grant serves as a primary intervention to ensure that the most vulnerable households can afford basic nutrition, which is the leading preventative measure against stunting.

Chronic diarrhea and poor sanitation (WASH) are major secondary causes of nutrient loss and stunting in South African children. There is therefore a need for the recently established National Water Crisis Committee to approach the crisis holistically to work hand in hand with other ministries such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Development and Department of Basic Education to tackle stunting.

The President reaffirmed the commitment to the National Development Plan (NDP) goals, which include improving the quality of nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life (conception to 2 years old), as well as expanding access to integrated Early Childhood Development (ECD) services that include nutritional support.

During the SONA, the nation was reminded that the Constitution mandates the “realization of the right of all South Africans to… food [and] water” President Ramaphosa framed the government’s efforts to stabilize the economy and lower inflation (which is currently at its lowest in 20 years) to reduce the high cost of living, making nutritious food more accessible to poor families.

The President expressed grave concern over children in the Western Cape being caught in the “crossfire of gang wars.” To this end, the SANDF is being deployed to support the police in the Western Cape and Gauteng to deal with gang violence, which the President noted “cuts short the futures” of children.

Social Protection (Safety)

President Ramaphosa outlined several key Social Protection mechanisms aimed at reducing poverty, supporting child development, and fostering economic inclusion.

The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant will be continued with a move beyond just income support. A reconfiguration including support of livelihoods, skills development, and provision of work opportunities will be done to help recipients transition into the labour market.

Building on the existing Child Support Grant, the government seeks to implement targeted interventions specifically for pregnant women and low birth-weight children to ensure they receive essential protein and nutrients.

As outlined in the SONA, the upcoming Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) will detail budget allocations for the different commitments. Once this has been issued, I will pen another piece discussing what would have emerged.

There is a proposed new housing model where the state will shift from just building houses to providing subsidies for ownership and rental in better located areas. A significant proportion of the population stays far from industrial and economic hubs which results in a large proportion of their income going to transport costs. The revitalisation of commuter rail has been noted as a significant mechanism for reducing the high cost of living for working families.

Conclusion

Despite some commentary which sees the SONA as “business as usual” my Development Economist lens focused on Social Policy look forward to 2026. I will be keeping track of how these different interventions are playing out. If you are interested in engaging on any of the aforementioned areas or for more in depth research/consulting work to be conducted, feel free to comment, DM or email tatenda.zingoni@dnaeconomics.com