Thread by @JacaNews

Happening now: President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken to the podium to deliver the #SONA2021 before a hybrid sitting.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa briefly commemorates the release of the late former president Nelson Mandela from the Victor Verster Prison in Cape Town in 1990.

'It was clear that freedom was tangible.'

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa likens the country's resilience to that of the fynboos.

"We have risen time and time again from the depths of darkness to herald a new day."

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa hails the efforts of front liners and essential workers amid the raging coronavirus pandemic. We have made mistakes but we have also stood together.

"It is a story of solidarity and compassion."

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: This year is about change, progress and rebirth.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa says the year's plan will centre on four pillars:

-Defeat the Covid-19 pandemic
-Accelerate economic recovery
-Job creation and ensure inclusive growth
-Strengthen fight against corruption

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa speaks on the vaccine developments, lamenting the setback suffered recently.
It should not delay the rollout but it will impact the choice and manner of rollout.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: Alternatively, we have secured 9 million Johnson and Johnson doses - 80 000 of which will arrive next week.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: "This year we must do everything int our means to contain the virus."

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: We will overcome and we will rise. But we must also also overcome poverty and inequality.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: This time last year, we could have never been prepared for what was to come. As a result, we had to alter plans and budgets based on the crises.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: This time last year, we could have never been prepared for what was to come. As a result, we had to alter plans and budgets based on the crises.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa says he will give feedback on progress made on the economic recovery and reconstruction plan.

On infrastructure:
-headway has been in energy and telecomms infrastructure
-we have launched 2 major human settlement projects

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: "This evening we stand here not to make promises but to report on the process of the recovery plan."

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa deals with progress in local production:
-we have identified opportunities to buy locally made PPEs among 1000 other products
-we have up scaled production in poultry adding 1 million chicken every week
-support for black small scale farmers stepped up

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: In the past year, more than 125,000 new companies have been registered through the BizPortal platform, completing their registration in just a matter of hours from the comfort of their homes or offices.

We are making it easier for business to do business.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: Our third priority intervention is an employment stimulus to create jobs and support livelihoods.

The largest numbers of jobs will be created by the private sector in a number of industries as the economy recovers.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: By the end of January 2021, over 430,000 opportunities had been supported through the stimulus.

Some 180,000 opportunities are currently in the recruitment process in education, arts and culture, global business services, ECD, and small-scale, farming.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: Funding and business support was provided to 1000 young entrepreneurs by August.

This provides a firm foundation for our efforts to support 15,000 start-ups by 2024.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa affirms: Restoring Eskom to operational and financial health and accelerating its restructuring process is central to our objectives.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: Eskom is making substantial progress with its intensive maintenance and operational excellence programmes to improve the reliability of its coal fleet.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: "We are working very closely with Eskom on proposals to improve its financial position, manage its debt and reduce its dependence on the ficus."

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: We're working closely with Eskom on proposals to improve its financial position, manage its debt and reduce its dependence on the fiscus.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa deals with progress in energy sector:
-DME will announce the successful bids for 2 000MW of emergency power.
-Govt will soon be initiating the procurement of an additional 11,800 megawatts of renewable power

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: Despite this work, Eskom estimates that, without additional capacity, there will be an electricity supply shortfall of between 4,000 and 6,000 megawatts over the next 5 years, as old coal-fired power stations reach their end of life.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: As part of the measures to address this shortfall, we will in the coming weeks issue a request for proposals for 2,600 megawatts from wind and solar energy as part of Bid Window 5.

This will be followed by another bid window in August 2021.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: The completion of digital migration is vital to our ability to effectively harness the enormous opportunities presented by technological change.

After many delays, we will begin the phased switch-off of our analogue TV transmitters from next month.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: Our ability to compete in global markets depends on the efficiency of our ports and rail network.

We are repositioning Durban as a hub port for the southern hemisphere and developing Ngqura as the container terminal of choice.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: The rail corridor from Gauteng is being extended to enable the export of vehicles through Port Elizabeth.

These are crucial steps to move freight from road to rail and increase the competitiveness of the rail system.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: Work is underway with the relevant departments to reform our visa and immigration regime to attract skills and grow the tourism sector.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: As international travel starts to recover in the wake of Covid-19, we will undertake a full roll-out of eVisas to visitors from China, India, Nigeria, Kenya and 10 other countries.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: A centralised SOE model is being implemented this financial year, which will ensure a standardised governance, financial management and operational performance framework for all SOEs.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: To date, government has redistributed over 5 million hectares of land, totalling around 5,500 farms, to more than 300,000 beneficiaries.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: We are proceeding with our efforts to strengthen the local government infrastructure and accelerate service delivery through the District Development Model.

"The days of messing up are over."

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: Corruption is one of the greatest impediments to the country’s growth and development.

The revelations from the Zondo Commission of Inquiry lay bare the extent of state capture and related corruption.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: There has been great progress in turning around law enforcement bodies.

Critical leadership positions have been filled with capable, experienced and trustworthy professionals.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: We will appoint the members of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, that will oversee the initial implementation of the strategy and the establishment of an independent statutory anti-corruption body that reports to Parliament.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: As it reported last week, the SIU has finalised investigations into 164 contracts with a total value of R3.5 billion.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: In a significant advance for transparency and accountability, the Political Party Funding Act will come into operation on the 1st of April this year.

This will regulate public and private funding of political parties.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: Crimes like cable theft, railway infrastructure vandalism, land invasions, construction site disruptions and attacks on truck drivers hamper economic activity and discourage investment.

We have taken steps to deal with those responsible.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: We are also fast-tracking the implementation and capacitation of the Border Management Agency to curb illegal immigration and cross-border crime.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: Ending gender-based violence is imperative if we lay claim to being a society rooted in equality and non-sexism.

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: To ensure that perpetrators are brought to book, we are making progress in reducing the backlog of gender-based violence cases.

We continue to provide care and support to survivors of gender-based violence.

#SONA2021 | JUST IN: Ramaphosa says govt has decided to extend the period for the Special COVID-19 Grant of R350 by a further three months as well as the TERS benefit until 15 March 2021, only for those sectors that have not been able to operate.

#SONA2021 |Ramaphosa: Just as a harsh fire gives new life to our country’s fynbos, this crisis is an opportunity to build a different, better South Africa.

Rebuilding our country requires a common effort.

#SONA2021 |Ramaphosa: In addition to the many challenges that beset our people we have heard that his Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini has not been well in recent days.

I wish to convey my wishes for the speedy recovery of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu.

#SONA2021 |Ramaphosa recites Maya Angelou’s great poem ‘I rise’.

"Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear, I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise, I rise, I rise."

#SONA2021 | Ramaphosa: May God bless South Africa and protect her sons and daughters.

I thank you.