SONA: State of the Nation Address 2024
A Nation that Works for All

State of the Nation  2025

A Nation that Works for All

Employment

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SONA Highlights

Expanding employment initiatives

Grow tourism through visa reforms

Investing in research and innovation

Transform SA’s science capabilities, human resources and research infrastructure

Strengthening global partnerships

Prioritise implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area

Expanding employment initiatives

Expanding employment initiatives

We are working to expand employment initiatives and create more jobs for South Africans. This includes supporting small businesses, investing in skills development and promoting public employment programmes.

  • Expand and institutionalise the Presidential Employment Stimulus, including the Social Employment Fund, the Basic Education Employment Initiative, the National Youth Service and input vouchers for small-scale and subsistence farmers.

  • The employment stimulus has created almost 2.2 million work and livelihood opportunities through innovative models that provide high-quality work to participants.

  • The Social Employment Fund has created over 80,000 jobs this year and has supported more than 12,000 participants to enter entrepreneurial activities.
  • Young people secured 235,000 work opportunities through the National Pathway Management Network, which is underpinned by the SAYouth.mobi platform.
  • Grow SAYouth.mobi as a central hub for youth to access services and earning opportunities, through full integration with all government platforms to expand reach.
  • Grow tourism through visa reforms and increased flight connectivity.
Stories of Impact Yes4Youth

Modernising mining

Modernising mining

We are working to modernise the mining sector and ensure that it remains a key contributor to our economy. This includes attracting investment, promoting beneficiation and improving safety and environmental performance.

  • Focus on processing minerals within South Africa.
  • Implement a modern and transparent mining rights system to boost investment in exploration and production.
  • Put an enabling policy and regulatory framework for critical minerals in place.
  • Support mineral beneficiation.
The Mining Charter, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

Growing agricultural

Growing agricultural

We are working to grow the agricultural sector and ensure that it can contribute to food security and economic development. This includes supporting farmers, improving infrastructure and opening new export markets.

  • Increase access to blended finance (combining public and private funding) for emerging farmers in export crops.
  • Expand access to key markets through trade agreements.
  • Expand the agricultural sector through improved logistics and improve rural supply chains.
  • Increase funding for land reform, prioritise state land transfer and strengthen post-settlement support.
  • Position SA as leader in commercial hemp and cannabis production.
Stories of Impact

Strengthening global economic partnerships

Strengthening global economic partnerships

We will work to strengthen our trade relations around the world and to leverage our strong and diverse global alliances to make our economy more resilient.

  • Strengthen economic diplomacy with our largest and potential trading partners.
  • Prioritise implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
  • Make SA a leader in renewable energy and green manufacturing.

G20 Presidency 2025

For the first time in its history, the G20 is being hosted on the African continent following the admission of the African Union as a member of the G20.

Our G20 Presidency is a valuable opportunity for South Africa to advance efforts towards greater global economic growth and sustainable development. It is also an opportunity to place the needs of Africa and the rest of the Global South more firmly on the international development agenda.