A general view of the audience and of President Cyril Ramaphosa as he delivers the State of the Nation (SONA) address in Cape Town on February 12, 2026.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his annual State of the Nation Address, outlining the government’s priorities for the year ahead.
Key priorities included the water crisis, restructuring Eskom, deploying the army to fight gang violence and illegal mining, and re-vetting the senior police officials.
South Africans will be watching closely to see how these commitments translate into action.
Here are five key takeaways from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 SONA:
Ramaphosa deploys army to tackle illegal mining and gang violence
The president has announced that the army will be deployed to help the SAPS deal with illegal mining and gangsterism.
Communities across the country have long called for the army to be deployed.
Top SAPS and Metro Police chiefs face fresh vetting and lifestyle audits
Senior South African Police Service and various metropolitan department police officials are set to be vetted again.
Ramaphosa says the State Security Department will do the vetting, which will include lifestyle audits.
The shocking revelations coming out of the Madlanga Commission and parliament's Ad Hoc Committee triggered the move.
Whistleblower Protection Bill
Witnesses who are testifying before the Madlanga Commission and Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee continue to worry about their safety.
Ramaphosa says government is expediting measures to protect whistleblowers.
The president says a Whistleblower Protection Bill will be introduced.
Ramaphosa to chair a water crisis committee
Another State of the Nation Address, another committee.
Ramaphosa says the National Water Crisis Committee will find solutions to the persistent crisis.
Ramaphosa says government will elevate its response to the country’s water challenges by establishing a National Water Crisis Committee, which he will chair.
The structure will consolidate existing efforts into a single coordinating body and deploy technical experts and national resources to struggling municipalities.
Ramaphosa says the aim is to ensure swift and effective action to address the water crisis.
Restructuring Eskom
Ramaphosa says government is restructuring Eskom by establishing a fully independent state-owned transmission entity to own and operate the country’s transmission assets and electricity market.
A dedicated task team under the National Energy Crisis Committee has been set up to oversee the process and provide clear implementation timeframes, with a report due within three months.
He added that the first round of independent transmission projects will begin this year to attract private investment and expand the national grid.