As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver the State of the Nation Address on 12 February 2026, the ongoing water shortages and reliance on tankers dominate public concerns. A review of 2025 promises shows progress in infrastructure investment but failure to resolve the water crisis. Several cabinet ministers have delivered notable achievements in other areas.
The water crisis has become a defining issue for South Africa as the country approaches the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA). In Johannesburg, residents protested this week over prolonged outages, highlighting a near system collapse in the economic heartland. Protests and ubiquitous water tankers have overshadowed other developments, with the African National Congress's post-apartheid gains in water access now threatened by patronage and wasteful spending.
In his 2025 SONA, Ramaphosa promised 'decisive actions' to resolve frequent shortages due to failing infrastructure, including Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. However, the project is delayed by over a decade, with costs rising from R8 billion to over R50 billion. Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina faces criticism for slow reforms, as local government crises hinder delivery through bulk suppliers like Rand Water.
Safety remains another weak spot, with Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia addressing corruption in the South African Police Service. Following the Madlanga Commission, four officers received suspension notices, and two were already suspended. A special task team, ordered by Ramaphosa, has three months to probe 14 implicated officials.
Despite these challenges, several ministers have performed well. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy is reforming Transnet by opening rail routes to private bidders and restoring passenger lines. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube oversaw improved matric results and registered 10,000 early childhood development centres ahead of schedule, though subsidy access remains limited. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille saw visitor numbers reach 10.48 million, nearing pre-Covid levels.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana stabilised debt and exceeded tax collection targets, while Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa ended load shedding, though prices rose 8.76%. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber issued 4 million smart ID cards and improved visa processing. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson exposed corruption in leases, and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola led a successful G20 presidency amid global tensions.
Trade Minister Parks Tau and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen diversified markets amid 30% US tariffs, securing deals for fruits to China and South Korea.
