President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on 6 February 2025. The address took place before a joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament, the first SoNA of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in Cape Town. The 2025 SoNA is the first of the 7th Administration under the theme: “A nation that works, for all.” This address holds significance for the Education Sector:
We are immensely proud of the achievements of the matric class of 2024, which achieved the highest past rate in our country’s history. 87% of learners who sat for their matric exams passed. For the first time in the history of our country, nearly half of these learners achieved a bachelor pass.
Our immediate focus is to expand access to early childhood development for every child. This will be achieved through registering and formalising existing ECD centres and ensuring that they have the facilities, training and material that they need to provide quality early learning. We will focus on ensuring that every child can read for meaning in the foundation phase to set them up for success in later years. To achieve this, we are implementing Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes, and rolling out lesson plans, reading books and other interventions that have been proven to work.
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme will continue to prioritise students who want to pursue a teaching career in the Foundation Phase.
Last year, we signed the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act, which is pivotal for ensuring that education is accessible and inclusive for all South Africans. This year, the Minister of Basic Education will introduce national policy, norms and standards and regulations to empower all partners in basic education to support the implementation of the Act.
To ensure that the economy has the skills it needs, we are increasing the production of artisans through TVET colleges. This is part of the shift we are undertaking towards education and skills development that combines formal learning with job training. Drawing on the models that have proved so successful in other countries, we call on the private sector to offer young people experiential learning opportunities while they undertake their studies. We are implementing Phase 1 of the comprehensive student funding model for higher education to address the needs of the “missing middle”. This will support approximately 10,000 students in the first year.
For the first time in its history, the G20 is being hosted on the African continent following the admission of the African Union as a member of the G20. It is an opportunity to place the needs of Africa and the rest of the Global South more firmly on the international development agenda. Our G20 Presidency is a valuable opportunity for South Africa to advance efforts towards greater global economic growth and sustainable development. – President Cyril Ramaphosa
