In a State of the Nation Address (SoNA) overshadowed by diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the US over land, social inclusion and climate policies, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa would “not be bullied” as it sought to chart a new path in a rapidly changing world.

Ramaphosa made no direct reference to President Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw all aid because of South Africa’s new Expropriation Act, which Trump said was resulting in South Africa “confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people very badly”, but provided no evidence for the allegation.

Neither did he refer directly to Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement that he would not attend the G20 gathering in Johannesburg, because the conference’s theme of “solidarity, equality and sustainability” conflicted with the Trump administration’s rejection of diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as climate action.

However, Ramaphosa used the address, as well as the recent formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU), to underline South Africa’s commitment to both cooperation and multilateralism.

“As South Africans, we know the power of cooperation, of what is possible when people of different backgrounds, races, cultures, languages, ethnic groups and religions come together behind a shared objective,” he said.

Through partnership, he added, South Africa had overcome apartheid, “a crime against humanity that denied people their human rights, that deprived them of their land and livelihoods, that sought to strip them of their dignity”.

Ramaphosa also used the platform to stress the country’s commitment to racial and gender equality and inclusion, saying: “We stand for non-racialism and democracy, for tolerance and compassion. We stand for equal rights for women, for persons with disability and for members of the LGBTQI+ community. We stand for our shared humanity, not for the survival of the fittest.”

Ramaphosa announced that he would be sending a delegation of government and other leaders to various African and global capitals to explain the country’s policy positions and to highlight its objective for the G20 Presidency; a role it is meant to transfer to the US after the Johannesburg event.

“Our G20 Presidency is a valuable opportunity for South Africa to advance efforts towards greater global economic growth and sustainable development,” he said, adding that the chosen theme underscored the need for international cooperation and partnership in a world that was characterised by “both interdependence and competition, of cooperation and conflict”.

Speaking following the death of 14 South African soldiers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in late January, international relations took a far more prominent role in the SoNA than is traditionally the case.

The bulk of the address, however, was directed towards domestic issues, including confirmation that the GNU had adopted a Medium Term Development Plan for the coming five years to advance its three strategic priorities of driving inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and the high cost of living, and building a capable State.

Ramaphosa said economic growth remained the main priority and said that "to create a virtuous cycle of investment, growth and jobs, we must lift economic growth to above 3%".

"To achieve higher levels of economic growth we are undertaking massive investment in new infrastructure while upgrading and maintaining the infrastructure we have.

"We are developing innovative ways of funding infrastructure.

"We are engaging local and international financial institutions and investors to unlock R100-billion in infrastructure financing."

No new economic reforms were announced, with the President indicating that the priority remains the consolidation of the reforms under way in electricity, transport, water and visa reform.

MODERNISED INDUSTRIAL POLICY

However, the President announced that a modernised and comprehensive industrial policy would be finalised this year, focusing on opportunities in localisation, diversification, digitisation and decarbonisation.

In addition, he said a transformation fund, worth R20-billion a year over the next five years would be set up, to fund black-owned and small business enterprises, while the regulations of the Public Procurement Act would be fast-tracked to facilitate business opportunities for women, youth and persons with disabilities.

The importance of expanding the country’s infrastructure also received prominence, as did government’s desire to attract private-sector investment into areas previously dominated by State-owned companies, including the ports, railways, and powerlines.

Particular emphasis was given to water infrastructure, with Ramaphosa acknowledging that “people in our cities, towns and villages are experiencing more and more frequent water shortages”.

He said decisive actions would be taken to resolve the crisis, including the creation of ringfenced municipal water utilities.