That’s a wrap for #SONA2019. Here’s what you may have missed …

President Cyril Ramaphosa has kicked off his State of the Nation Address 2019.

According to a tweet by @SAgovnews, “President @CyrilRamaphosa says it’s an honour to deliver the 25th annual State of the Nation Address in a free and democratic South Africa. #SONA2019 #SONA19.”

Having taken the podium, President @CyrilRamaphosa says he starts off with a disclaimer. Speaks of Hugh Masekela’s song Thuma Mina. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

[Watch] 2019 State of the Nation Address by President Cyril Ramaphosahttps://t.co/YtNEVzrDmO#SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

National Security Council to be re-established

President Ramaphosa will announce a number of urgent steps to enable the reconstitution of a professional national intelligence capability for South Africa. Says the National Security Council will be the re-established and chaired by the President. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Work on the reconfiguration of the state is at an advanced stage, says President Ramaphosa and notes that there is a great interest in the future reconfigured state. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Inclusive economic growth

Government's five most urgent tasks are to accelerate inclusive economic growth and job creation; improving the education system while developing skills; improving living conditions; fighting corruption and state capture +strengthening the state. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Drive to attract investment

While SA faced a technical recession in 2018, the drive to attract R1.3 trillion worth of investments has borne fruit there has been an increase in foreign direct investment (FDI). In the first 3 quarters of 2018, there was an inflow of R70 billion worth of investments. #SONA2019

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Projects to the value of R187 billion are being implemented, and projects worth another R26 billion are in pre-implementation phase. South Africa will again host the Investment Conference. Pres Ramaphosa has asked provinces to set up investment books. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Youth and the economy

Ramaphosa said the government had developed initiatives to assist young people into the economy.

Ramaphosa added that they had launched the Youth Employment Service that places unemployed youths into companies for paid internships. This helps to introduce them into the job sector, Ramaphosa explained.

The small business incubation programme will be expanded with the township digital hubs yo be established initially in four provinces with more to follow says President Ramaphosa. Meanwhile the Employment Tax Incentive will be extended for another 10 years. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Agriculture, tourism and the ocean economy were important sectors for employing the youth, said Ramaphosa.

Since introducing Operation Phakisa on the Oceans Economy in 2014, the country has secured investments mainly in infrastructure development and the oil and gas sector among others of nearly R30 bn. Expected #investment is estimated at R3.8 bn by government.#SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Developing the agricultural sector is important to ensure food security, said the president.

They aim to make more land available for agriculture and construction so that the process of land reform can be accelerated, said the president.

‘Fantastic work’ has been done through the inter-ministerial committee on land reform and land parcels owned by the state for distribution have been identified, the president explained.

Pres Ramaphosa says SA still has large areas of underutilised land. Government will support the work of the Constitutional Review Committee tasked with the review of Section 25 of the Constitution to set out provisions for expropriation of land without compensation. #SONA2019

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Ten million tourists have come to our country in the past year, said Ramaphosa.

eVisa regime

Highest priority this year will be the introduction of a new visa regime, said Ramaphosa.

Of high priority this year, is the introduction of a world class eVisa regime. This will be combined with enhanced destination marketing and measures to strengthen tourism safety. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Telecommunications sector

“The telecommunications sector boasts vast opportunities for growth.”

Water scarcity

He described how we were confronted by water scarcity and explained the interventions that would be implemented.

As a water scarce country, SA is developing a integrated nation plan that addresses water shortages, ageing infrastructure and poor project implementation. An inter-governmental rapid response technical team, reinforced by specialist professionals is being set up. #SONA2019

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

School sanitation facilities

An audit found that nearly 4 000 schools still have ‘inappropriate sanitation facilities’ and he said they were determined to eradicate these ‘inappropriate sanitation facilities’ within the next three years.

He stressed the important role of business within this.

The President is now discussing sanitation facilities in schools, and the plans to eradicate unsafe and inappropriate sanitation facilities within the next three years. As always, #safety remains a priority for cabinet. #SONA2019 pic.twitter.com/yS2Ww04b0x

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

State-owned entities

“We want out SOEs to be fully self-sufficient.”

It is ‘imperative’ that all those who use electricity, over and above the free electricity that is provided, should pay for that electricity, he said, adding that this would be elaborated on in the budget speech.

Government will support Eskom’s balance sheet of which the details will be provided by the Finance Minister in the Budget Speech. The power utility will need to develop a new business model. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Education

Education and the development of skills need to be a priority, said Ramaphosa.

This year, the government will migrate ECD centres from social development to the basic education department, he said.

Reading and comprehension in the first few years of school would be prioritised, said Ramaphosa.

Over the next six years, they would provide every child in school with a digital learning device, said Ramaphosa. He added that they would include multi-phase, farm and rural schools.

The President is now discussing education and textbooks, and the plans to improve access to textbooks the coming years. As always, #educationremains a priority for cabinet. #SONA2019 pic.twitter.com/gbk4mcJDqE

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

New technology subjects and specialisations will be introduced, including technical mathematics and technical sciences, maritime sciences, aviation studies, mining sciences, and aquaponics. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

President Cyril Ramaphosa is now addressing free higher education, and the five-year scheme roll-out plan for all qualifying undergraduate students. #SONA2019 pic.twitter.com/RaSmdvOLyL

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Gender-based violence

On gender-based violence, government is expanding and dedicating more funds to places of support, such as the Thuthuzela Care Centres and Khuseleka Care Centres. Ending gender-based violence is an urgent national priority, says President Ramaphosa. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Human settlements

We need to develop new ways to develop human settlements. A new human settlements bank would be developed to assist with funding, explained Ramaphosa.

The Housing Development Agency will construct an additional 500,000 housing units in the next five years. In addition a Human Settlements Development Bank that will leverage public and private sector financing to aid in housing delivery is being established. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Social grants

He said there are 17.5 million social grants provided to citizens every month.

He said significant progress in the transition from CPS to the Post Office had been made.

The National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill will soon be ready for submission to Parliament. President Ramaphosa says government is working towards a massive change in the health care experience of South Africans. #SONA2019 #SONA19

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

Investigating directorate

An investigating directorate is needed in the NPA to deal with cases of serious corruption, said Ramaphosa.

Future of SA

“Today, we choose to be a nation that is reaching into the future,” said Ramaphosa.

He called on South Africans to add their input on how the state could be reconfigured.

Election Day

Ramaphosa announced that the 2019 election day would be held on 8 May.

[Read] South Africans will go to the polls for the sixth general elections on May 8 #Elections2019 #SONA2019 #SONA19 @IECSouthAfrica #2019Elections https://t.co/GEkxqaWN63 pic.twitter.com/CFK02d5cN9

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

https://twitter.com/SAgovnews/status/1093581958439993345

Economy

Ramaphosa said it was a priority to get the economy back on track.

Before it all began …

Ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, here are some tweets of who was spotted outside the National Assembly.

[WATCH] #SONA2019 Deputy President David Mabuza has arrived and has been welcomed by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsenoli pic.twitter.com/Z8GnjQZXUe

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

[WATCH] The judiciary arm of the state, led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, arrive ahead of #SONA2019 pic.twitter.com/M2BmaSx4Gb

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019

#SONA2019 the Provincial Speakers from provincial legislatures have also just arrived pic.twitter.com/NpLk7Pl7MN

— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) February 7, 2019