*SONA 2025 STRADDLES COALITION AND GLOBAL TIGHTROPES* *GOOD* Statement by *Brett Herron,* *GOOD* Secretary-General 06 February 2025 President Cyril Ramaphosa walked a coalition tightrope in his State of the Nation Address tonight, balancing the urgent need to address abnormal rates of poverty and inequality with the needs of the business sector for a stable environment conducive to economic growth. The initiative he announced to send a South African delegation to engage world leaders on what South Africa stands for and has to offer – and dispel the false narrative that because we don’t always agree with the West we are a rogue state – is a very positive and proactive step. His steadfast references to the values of compassion, empathy and humanity was an excellent start. At home, his commitment to use the Social Release of Distress Grant as the basis for a more sustainable social relief mechanism was very important. This commitment must translate into the implementation of a Basic Income Grant of at least R999 a month in the next financial year. The President promised that the coming year would witness a wave of reform to unleash more rapid and inclusive growth. But aiming for 3% annual growth of the economy is not enough to meaningfully dent the unemployment and poverty rates. South Africa needs to grow at a minimum of 5% a year, for a number of consecutive years, if it is to grow itself out of the deep hole it’s in. He signaled that the pending reform would include privatizing elements in the electricity, freight, rail and port sectors. There was much in the President’s speech that was good, but the proof of the pudding will be in the implementation and delivery. There can be no argument against his vision to position South Africa as a leader in renewable energy and green manufacturing, for example. It makes sense. As does the President’s commitment to decelerate climate change and implement the just energy transition. But we must unblock bureaucratic and ideological impediments that have been holding us back. There’s no arguing, either, with the President’s vision of South Africa as a leader in the production of hemp and cannabis, adding modern value to a product produced for generations. But to get there the country needs to finalize regulations that continue to force the industry underground. The news of the country having spent R38 Billion through the infrastructure fund over the past year, with more to come, is very welcome, as was the promise to unlock opportunities for rural coastal communities through small harbours. We welcome the President’s recommitment to the progressive values and principles contained in the founding document of the Government of National Unity, the Statement of Intent – to reduce poverty, reduce the cost of living and address the indignity in which many of our people leave. The President’s commitment to spatial justice, one of the founding pillars of the GOOD Movement, also has our 100% support. He is quite correct that the State’s practice of building subsidized homes on the peripheries of town and cities perpetuates poverty and urban sprawl. By stressing the importance of integrating people forced apart by apartheid policy, and underlining the GNU’s commitment to transformatory legislation such as BELA and the NHI, the President positioned the GNU as giving expression to South Africa’s culture of cooperation. We welcome the President’s addressing foreign policy, and recommitting our nation, united in its diversity, to universal human rights. He is correct that South Africa has lessons to teach the world about cooperative problem-solving and nation building. His steady and diplomatic tone in the face of US provocation was commendable, as was his recommitment to peace for Ukrainians and Palestinians.