President Ramaphosa's Statement of National Address (SONA) 2022: More of the Same Correct Analysis, Promises of Reforms, and holding the fiscal line

SOUTH AFRICA - In Brief 10 Feb 2022 by Iraj Abedian

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In his 2-hour SONA, President Ramaphosa delivered a detailed economy-centric speech to the Parliament. Whilst reiterating his administration's commitment to the Constitutional Democracy, he articulated his market-friendly economic ideology more crisply than ever before. "Government does not create jobs', he underscored, "rather the private sector". This was in sharp contrast to his predecessor's administration where a statist ideology pervaded Zuma’s policy paradigm. The economy dominated the President’s Address, highlighting the key steps his administration is going to focus on: State must create an environment for the private sector to invest and help grow the economy Social partners need to craft a new consensus (social compact) to be hammered out within the next 100 days. Reducing the high cost of doing business in the country, promise of more fundamental structural reforms. Eskom has made good progress, Electricity Regulation amendments to create a competitive market underpinned by a State-owned Transmission Entity to be able to buy from all producers including Eskom’s generation division. Improve the operational efficiency of the Ports and Railways via Private investors/partners End the unacceptable delays in shifts from analogue to digital TV signals by end March 2022 Subsides low- income households to shift from analogue to digital TV Visa application : e-Visa is launched in 14 countries already to fast-track access to skills and opportunities, and of course the much needed tourist. Water: introduce institutional reforms with a view to ensure access to water and maintenance of existing assets. National Water Resources Management Agency will be established in th...