Zuma to deliver State of the Nation 2014

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JOHANNESBURG – Not only will the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Jacob Zuma will be presented two days after marking the 24^th anniversary since Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, this year also marks South Africa’s 20^th anniversary as a democratic country.

Expectations for this year’s SONA are that President Zuma is likely to take time to reflect on the successes of South Africa over the past twenty years, more importantly since his term in office in 2009.

Since 2009, the government has shown massive improvement in the matric rate. In 2009 the pass rate was at 60.6 percent, compared to 78.2 percent in 2014. Under President Zuma’s administration, South Africa has also showed improvement in job creation.

Despite the progress made in job creation, South Africa still has a long way to go in addressing issues of unemployment. With this in mind, the president will most likely give special attention to the issue and try offer possible solutions the government will look to commit to.

Not only is this year’s SONA delivered a few months before elections, it also comes at a time when South Africa expressed unhappiness over the implementation of e-tolling in Gauteng, not to mention constant questions regarding the president’s Nkandla home.

Besides the amount of challenges still faced, the president is expected to take a more celebratory tone, at the same time should find an opportunity to offer South Africans hope for the future.

What the twitter public had to say about SONA

Lukhanyo Mpumela ‏@Lukha_M, “Isn’t the president for the people? Today means no business to ordinary street vendors in #CT CBD so for them the #SONA means a loss of income.”

Edwin Mbugua ‏@54AfricanVoices, “If Jacob Zuma announced that e-toll will be scrapped and a drop in the price of petrol by 54c I would vote for him #SoNA”

Katlego Legodi ‏@KatCutemo, “President Jacob Zuma  will be expected to address issues like the poor economy, service delivery, healthcare and education #SONA.”