Spokesperson to the President Vincent Magwenya on Friday reiterated Cyril Ramaphosa's directive made during the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations for seven days, in honour of the soldiers who lost their lives in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The South African forces were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC, deployed in December.

During Thursday evening's SoNA, Ramaphosa read out the names of the 14 fallen soldiers and said flags would fly at half-mast from Friday.

Criticisms have been made over the adequacy of support for the soldiers, with the Democratic Alliance preparing to use an upcoming debate in Parliament to demand answers on why South African National Defence Force members remain in armed conflict in eastern DRC.

In his SoNA, Ramaphosa stressed that the soldiers had lost their lives defending the rights of the Congolese people to live in peace and security.

"They lost their lives not in the pursuit of resources, territory or power. They lost their lives so that the guns on our continent may be forever silenced. We salute our gallant soldiers," he said.

Opposition parties have expressed mixed reactions to President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address (SoNA), with the GOOD Party praising Ramaphosa's steady and diplomatic tone in the face of US provocation.

Ramaphosa delivered his SoNA on Thursday, where he highlighted that South Africans would not be bullied, as the country deals with tension with the US.

Following the signing of the Expropriation Bill into law by Ramaphosa, the country was accused by US President Donald Trump of confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people "very bad", describing the alleged situation as a massive human rights violation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated his President's stance, pointing out that he will not attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg, as "South Africa is doing very bad things".

GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron said Ramaphosa's plan to send delegations to engage world leaders to dispel the false narratives is a positive and proactive step.

"His steadfast references to the values of compassion, empathy and humanity were an excellent start. 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," noted Herron.

He also noted that Ramaphosa walked a "coalition tightrope" in his SoNA, balancing the urgent need to address high rates of poverty and inequality with the needs of the business sector for a stable environment conducive to economic growth to facilitate this.

"…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," Herron said.

However, he said aiming for 3% annual growth of the economy was not enough to meaningfully dent the unemployment and poverty rates.

He said South Africa needed to grow at a minimum of 5% a year, for several consecutive years.

"[Ramaphosa] signalled that the pending reform would include privatising 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," Herron said.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) called for a clear plan for economic transformation that prioritised black empowerment, job creation, and service delivery.

The party rejected, with contempt, what it termed a directionless, inept and incoherent SoNA, saying it was nothing but a desperate attempt to mask the catastrophic failures of, what it has labelled, "the neoliberal, right-wing so called Government of National Unity (GNU)".

"Since the formation of the GNU, this unholy alliance between the African National Congress (ANC) and the racist Democratic Alliance (DA) has delivered nothing but chaos, regression, and suffering for the people of South Africa, particularly workers and the poor. The GNU was supposedly established to stabilise the economy, promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and build a capable and ethical state - yet, in every measurable aspect, it has failed dismally," the EFF said.

The party pointed out that when he opened the seventh administration in July last year, Ramaphosa "boldly proclaimed" that the GNU would place inclusive growth at the centre of its agenda.

"…this was supposedly meant to drive job creation, empower black South Africans and uplift the most vulnerable. However, South Africa's economy remains in a dire state, with economic growth averaging below 1.5% annually and projected to grow by less than 2% over the next three years," the EFF said.

The party believes that instead of implementing bold State-led industrial policies, the GNU has left South Africa's economy at the mercy of white-owned private businesses th...

Afrikaner lobby group AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel on Friday gave feedback on what the organisation describes as the African National Congress's (ANC's) "reckless actions and policies", and which it believes were the catalysts for US President Donald Trump's withdrawal of aid to South Africa.

AfriForum has been called out by government and other organisations for creating misinformation, particularly around the recently assented Expropriation Act, that resulted in claims from Trump that South Africa is confiscating land, and "treating certain classes of people very badly".

Trump's claims have since been widely refuted by government leaders and civil society organisations, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling on Trump to better understand South African policies.

AfriForum has been on a campaign, with delegations to the US, to raise "awareness" on land expropriation without compensation and farm murders.

The lobby group believes the nil compensation clause in the Expropriation Act needs to be amended.

"…it is so that expropriation is common in the world, but the only places that have compensation of nil is Zimbabwe and Venezuela," Kriel said during a media briefing in Pretoria.

While Trump made claims of land confiscations in South Africa, Kriel clarified that at the moment there were no large scale confiscations of land in the country, but rather claimed that there were large scale land grabs underway.

He said the "real problem" was that the Expropriation Act allowed for the "disrespect" of property rights, while pointing to South Africa's foreign policy, which he said played into Trump's statement.

"It is astonishing that nobody asked what is President Cyril Ramaphosa's role, what was the African National Congress's role in creating this anger from the US President, and simply it was just said 'no it's them, its AfriForum'.

"What we have seen in the last week is an orchestrated attempt to just put the blame on someone else. Ramaphosa and leaders of the ANC are to be blamed for the crisis," he said.

He said it was Ramaphosa who had signed the Act, not AfriForum, pointing out that the organisation tried to prevent the Bill from becoming law.

Kriel further claimed that the ANC government was reaching out to Hamas and building relationships with countries such as Iran, which it said could lead to an intensification of US action against South Africa.

He said this created the impression that Ramaphosa and the ANC government had a strong anti-western attitude and were choosing sides against the US.

AfriForum also wants South Africa to rethink its international relations policy and commit to keep out of international conflicts.

The organisation also urged the US not to punish ordinary people in the country.

"…normal working class, unemployed people are not responsible. If one is going to be blamed, blame the President and blame the ANC," Kriel said.

He stated that AfriForum tried, through conversations with Ramaphosa and the ANC, to find solutions for the "crisis" that the Expropriation Act and Basic Education Laws Amendment Act created.

He alleged that Ramaphosa and the Government of National Unity were acting "very badly" with regards to the cultural existence of the Afrikaans community, stating that there were 141 racially-discriminating laws in the country.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, the ANC said it would not tolerate "racist distortions" aimed at undermining national sovereignty and the country's transformation agenda. It called for a progressive rejections, locally and globally, of AfriForum's "divisive agenda" and called for support for South Africa's pursuit of justice, equity, and land reform.

"It is unacceptable that AfriForum continues to seek external intervention against a sovereign country's domestic policies - policies that are necessary to address the legacy of land dispossession caused by colonialism and apartheid," the party said.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) has reiterated its support for land expropriation, in line with the Constitution, as it responded to US President Donald Trump's opposition to the policy.

On Sunday, Trump accused South Africa of "confiscating" land and "treating certain classes of people very badly", threatening to cut off all future funding to the country pending an investigation.

South Africa hit back at Trump's misinformation and stressed its sovereignty and democracy, while stating that there was no arbitrary dispossession of land or private property taking place in the country.

The SACP reiterated South Africa's national independence and said it rejected Trump's "imperialist agenda" and the "entire United States imperialism".

"South Africa is an independent country with its own democratic sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are not a colony of the United States or any other state for that matter: we fought against and shall fight against any attempts at undermining our national independence, democratic sovereignty and territorial integrity. The SACP rejects with the contempt it deserves the agenda by the United States to operate outside both international convention and democratic multilateralism and make itself the ruler of the world," it said.

Further, it stressed that the recently assented Expropriation Act repeals the apartheid-era Act and aims to redress past discrimination. It said Trump's opposition to the Act was hypocritical, racist, distorted and misleading given that he did not oppose the old legislation that saw racial land dispossession.

"For the record, Trump is not the President of South Africa - he is the president of the United States. We will not allow him to interfere in our internal affairs, undermine our democratic national sovereignty, or impose his reactionary will upon our people. The SACP remains resolute: South Africa belongs to all South Africans who live in it. We will not bow to imperialist threats. The struggle continues!," the SACP said.

The Portfolio Committee on Health emphasised the need for South Africa to strengthen its sovereignty in health matters and reduce reliance on foreign funding, calling on Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi to prioritise local production of essential medications.

The committee also wants Motsoaledi to explore innovative funding mechanisms that could support health initiatives without depending on foreign aid.

The committee received a comprehensive briefing from Motsoaledi, regarding the recent withdrawal of funding from the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Last month, US President Donald Trump announced that his government would be halting all PEPFAR funding, which has funded the distribution of HIV/AIDS treatment in South Africa and other countries for years.

During the briefing, Motsoaledi highlighted PEPFAR's critical role in supporting various health initiatives, stating that about 7.8-million South Africans are living with HIV/AIDS - the highest number globally.

Motsoaledi emphasised that PEPFAR funding had been instrumental in addressing the needs of the 27 high-burden districts, which were selected for support based on specific criteria.

The committee also highlighted that the withdrawal of PEPFAR funding served as a wake-up call for the country to develop sustainable healthcare solutions independent of external influences.

The Minister noted that South Africa relied primarily on its own budget for antiretroviral treatment, with approximately 90% of the medication being locally funded.

During the discussions on the US withdrawal of PEPFAR funding, committee members had questions about the immediate and long-term implications of this decision.

"Members expressed concern that the suspension of funding could lead to significant disruptions in HIV prevention and treatment services, particularly in these 27 high-burden districts that rely heavily on PEPFAR support," said Health Committee chairperson Sibongiseni Dhlomo.

The committee also wanted to know about contingency plans for maintaining service delivery, the potential impact on patient care, and how the department intends to support the healthcare workforce affected by the funding cut.

Dhlomo highlighted that the committee sought clarity on how the government planned to address the anticipated shortfall and the measures that would be put in place to ensure that those living with HIV continued to receive the care they need.

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Meanwhile, concerns were raised about the rising numbers of qualified healthcare professionals who wee unable to find employment in the public sector.

The committee questioned the long-term implications of this trend on the healthcare sector, noting that an adequate workforce was essential for delivering effective health services, especially in underserved areas.

Committee members questioned the Minister about the current vacancy rates for medical positions and urged him to outline specific strategies for integrating newly qualified doctors into the healthcare system.

"Suggestions made included the need for a streamlined recruitment process, the development of internship programmes that guarantee employment upon completion, and collaboration with provincial health departments to prioritise hiring in areas with the greatest need. The committee urged the Minister to explore strategies for absorbing newly qualified healthcare practitioners into the public healthcare system," explained Dhlomo.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said on Thursday that South Africa's G20 Presidency in 2025 will not be confined to climate change but also to the equitable treatment of nations of the Global South.

"These are important principles that we remain open to pursue and engage the United States on," said Lamola.

This followed a social media post by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying he won't attend an upcoming meeting of foreign ministers of the G20 group of countries from February 20-21 in Johannesburg, South Africa, citing concerns with polices, including land reform.

"I will NOT attend the G20 summit in Johannesburg. South Africa is doing very bad things. Expropriating private property. Using G20 to promote solidarity, equality, & sustainability. In other words: DEI and climate change. My job is to advance America's national interests, not waste taxpayer money or coddle anti-Americanism," he posted on X.

On Sunday US President Donald Trump accused South Africa of "confiscating" land and "treating certain classes of people very badly," threatening to cut off all future funding to the country pending an investigation.

Lamola stressed South Africa's sovereignty and democracy, which he said entailed a committment to human dignity, equality, and rights, championing non-racialism and non-sexism, while placing the country's Constitution and the rule of law at the forefront.

He highlighted that there was no arbitrary dispossession of land or private property.

"This law is similar to the [US's] eminent domain laws," he noted.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday deliver his State of the Nation Address (SoNA) at 7pm, where he will outline the task of the Government of National Unity (GNU) in implementing the three strategic priorities of the Medium-Term Development Plan.

This includes dDriving inclusive growth and job creation;, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living; and building a capable, ethical and developmental State, explained government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

Magwenya said the address will take place before a joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament.

He highlighted thatsaid the address holds "added significance" as it occurs during the commemoration of 30 years of freedom and democracy, and it coincides with South Africa's G20 Presidency of G20.

The 2025 SoNA is the first of the 7th Administration and will be held under the theme: '"A nation that works, for all'."

"The annual address gives us an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a nation and recommits us to working together to build the country we envisioned at the start of our democracy," Magwenya pointed out.

Ramaphosa will deliver his reply to the SoNA debate next week Thursday.

The President looks forward to a constructive and substantively enriching debate that will follow his SoONA address, said Magwenya.

South Africa's government signalled that it is making headway in resolving an impasse over a new national medical-insurance plan that critics say will infringe on the rights of patients and health-care workers and sideline the private sector.

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed off on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act less than two weeks before May elections in which the African National Congress lost the parliamentary majority it had held for the past three decades.

A 10-party coalition government was formed after the vote and some of its members oppose the legislation, which provides a framework for citizens to secure universal access to health care through a centrally managed government fund that buys services from public and private providers. The law currently bans the private sector from offering cover for treatment available under NHI.

An understanding has been agreed to drop a provision that would have caused the collapse of private medical-insurance companies, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen told reporters in Cape Town on Wednesday.

"I expect that the NHI Act will have to have some of its provisions redrafted. This is a compromise that has been reached," Steenhuisen said. "We will not be part of the destruction of the private medical aids. If that does happen then we cannot be part" of the unity government, he said.

Cape Town-based news website News24 reported on the agreement earlier.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told reporters in Cape Town that Ramaphosa is committed to ironing out difference within his administration over the NHI and "one would not be entirely surprised if an agreement is reached in that regard."

South Africa's overburdened public facilities currently serve about 84% of the population, while the remaining 16% who can afford private insurance have access to world-class treatment.

Opponents of NHI say it won't remedy the health-care system's shortcomings, is unconstitutional and that the government hasn't spelled out how much the revamped system will cost or how it will be funded. The Solidarity labour union has filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of the legislation.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) stated on Wednesday that while its Ministers are delivering growth and jobs in their respective portfolios, it continues to push the African National Congress (ANC) to urgently embrace the economic reforms South Africa desperately needs.

Ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SoNA), to be delivered on Thursday by President Cyril Ramaphosa, DA leader John Steenhuisen warned that unless the Government of National Unity (GNU) urgently implements policies that drive economic growth and enable job creation, South Africa will fail.

He said there was an alarming lack of urgency in the ANC.

"We have pushed the ANC to implement pro-growth, pro-jobs reforms through the Medium Term Development Plan process, and we have pushed the President to announce such reforms during his SoNA," Steenhuisen said.

EXPROPRIATION ACT

Meanwhile, Steenhuisen said the party would continue to use GNU structures to mount its opposition to the Expropriation Act, from within government.

This after US President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw aid to South Africa owing to his view that the recently enacted Expropriation Act was leading to the confiscation of land.

Steenhuisen said in response, on Monday, that while there were concerns around the Act, it was not true that it allowed land to be seized arbitrarily by the State as claimed by lobbyists.

"…and it does require fair compensation for legitimate expropriations in terms of Section 25 of the Constitution. It is unfortunate that individuals have sought to portray this Act as an amendment to Section 25 of the Constitution to allow for Expropriation Without Compensation," he said.

The DA lent its support to the GNU's attempt to engage with Trump to clarify the situation, describing the US's partnership with South Africa as valuable, particularly as US funding assists with crucial HIV/Aids treatment and support services and humanitarian and environmental programmes.

"It would be a tragedy if this funding were terminated because of a misunderstanding of the facts. Property rights are foundational to the success of our economy and the DA will always fight to ensure they are fully protected. We successfully opposed any change to Section 25 of the Constitution, which protects property rights, and we will continue to work to ensure the Expropriation Amendment Act is constitutionally sound in every respect," Steenhuisen had said.

Now, Steenhuisen said the Expropriation Act must go back to Parliament.

He said the protection of private property rights was the cornerstone of any economy, and that the DA had always supported this and fought hard against any amendment to Section 25 of the Constitution, since 2018.

"The DA is strongly of the opinion that the Act is unconstitutional and our view has not changed," he said on Wednesday.

He said the party would approach the courts, arguing that this Act was indeed "procedurally and substantively unconstitutional".

"As long as Dean Macpherson, or any other DA representative, is Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, we will be able to mount protection for South Africans through the Minister responsible for the Act's implementation. However, that situation cannot be guaranteed forever. It provides short-term relief, but broader solutions are needed," he explained.

DEBT MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMIC REFORMS

Steenhuisen said the GNU needed to commit to a credible plan to reduce government debt and stick it to.

"End bailouts to failing State-owned enterprises (SOEs) and begin the phased privatisation of non-essential SOEs, redirecting funds to critical economic infrastructure and service delivery," he suggested.

He added that government must also implement a strictly managed spending review across departments, to ensure measurable outcomes for allocated budgets, and to eliminate programmes that are duplicated or lack impact.

Steenhuisen said South Africa cannot tax or borrow its way to a better future, and said government must fast-track reform...

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has stressed the importance of clearing up any misconceptions surrounding the Expropriation Act, to ensure investors of policy certainty.

He called for reasoned discussion and for the Government of National Unity to explain the facts surrounding the legislation to the US administration.

Macpherson was speaking to members of the investment community on the margins of the Investing in African Mining Indaba opening reception, in Cape Town, on February 3.

Macpherson averred that there had been misconceptions about the legislation, including recent comments made on social media by US President Donald Trump.

"I want to be unequivocal: No one in South Africa is having their land confiscated," Macpherson emphasised.

He pointed out that the Expropriation Act sets out a clear legal framework under which expropriation may take place - always with due process and court oversight.

Furthermore, Section 25 of the Constitution remains firmly in place, "enshrining property rights in the highest law of the country", he pointed out.

Macpherson also cautioned against brinkmanship.

He further noted that the government was committed to working with international partners to ensure investor confidence remained strong.

"As the Minister responsible for this Bill, I am also committed to ensuring that it is constitutional and that there will be no arbitrary land grabs by the State in South Africa. Property rights are not only about protecting investments but also about ensuring that the rule of law is upheld in all sectors of society," he assured.