Key Takeaways:
- President Cyril Ramaphosa reflects on the hardships faced by South Africa in 2025, including unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
- The government has made progress in creating jobs, particularly for young people, through initiatives such as the Youth Employment Service (YES).
- Efforts to strengthen state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and improve the business environment have led to economic growth and job creation.
- The government is committed to addressing crime, including gender-based violence and corruption, and has made progress in recovering stolen funds and implementing reforms.
- President Ramaphosa calls for unity and resilience in the face of challenges, emphasizing the need for South Africans to work together to build a better future.
Introduction to the President’s Reflections
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reflected on the hardships faced by South Africa in 2025, urging citizens to unite in the face of challenges such as unemployment, crime, and inequality. In his New Year’s message, Ramaphosa acknowledged that 2025 was not an easy year for many South Africans, who had to deal with numerous difficulties, including unemployment, poverty, and inequality. The high cost of living also continued to burden South African households, making it difficult for many to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, Ramaphosa emphasized the progress made by the government in addressing these issues, including efforts to create jobs, particularly for young people.
Creating Jobs and Strengthening the Economy
The president highlighted the government’s efforts to create jobs, particularly for young people, through initiatives such as the Youth Employment Service (YES). YES has provided over 200,000 work experience opportunities for unemployed youth, and Ramaphosa plans to increase this number in the coming period. Additionally, the government has worked with the private sector to establish programs that provide training and employment opportunities for young people. The economy is also showing signs of improvement, with businesses creating more jobs as the business environment continues to strengthen. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are being strengthened and are set to play a key role in the economy, with Eskom’s performance improving steadily, resulting in South Africa going without load shedding for months.
Addressing Crime and Gender-Based Violence
Ramaphosa also addressed the issue of crime, which continues to be a major concern for many South Africans. Many communities live in fear of gangsters, and women and children live in fear of gender-based violence and femicide. The president called on men to respect and honor the women and girls of South Africa and to desist from gender-based violence and femicide. The government has made progress in addressing crime, with specialized task teams making breakthroughs against illegal mining, kidnapping, economic infrastructure crimes, and construction site extortion. The government is also determined to take decisive steps to clean up law enforcement agencies, with the recommendations of the Madlanga Commission set to be implemented to enhance reforms.
Rooting Out Corruption
Rooting out corruption is the government’s overriding priority, according to Ramaphosa. The government has recovered billions of stolen monies through the work of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU). The National Dialogue and the first National Convention were launched this year, continuing the country’s tradition of holding inclusive conversations to resolve challenges and build consensus. The president emphasized the importance of unity and resilience in the face of challenges, thanking South Africans for standing together through difficult moments and for their unity.
Building a Better Future
As South Africa prepares to welcome a new year, Ramaphosa called on citizens to remain united in building the South Africa of their dreams. Despite the challenges, the president emphasized that the country is getting stronger and the economy is improving. The government’s efforts to create jobs, strengthen SOEs, and address crime and corruption are all part of a broader effort to build a better future for all South Africans. By working together, Ramaphosa believes that South Africans can overcome the challenges they face and build a brighter future for themselves and their children. The president’s message of hope and unity is a call to action for all South Africans to work together to create a better tomorrow.