South Africa has joined the world in mourning the death of veteran American civil rights leader Jesse Louis Jackson Sr, with President Cyril Ramaphosa describing him as a “global moral authority” whose fight for justice transcended borders. Jackson, who has died at the age of 84, was one of the most recognisable voices of the American Civil Rights Movement and a steadfast ally of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle. In a heartfelt tribute on Tuesday, Ramaphosa extended condolences to the Jackson…

Leaders reaffirm commitment to integration, development and joint continental priorities The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union took place in Addis Ababa, bringing together heads of state under the bloc’s 2026 theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”. African leaders reiterated their shared commitment to long-term development and deeper regional integration. The high-level gathering convened presidents and prime ministers, foreign ministers, diplomats, leaders of continental institutions and…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of political detainees and the holding of free and fair elections in South Sudan, as he delivered closing remarks at the C5 Meeting at the level of Heads of State in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Addressing fellow leaders on Sunday, Ramaphosa described the meeting as “long in the making” but constructive and necessary, saying it had helped craft a clear way forward for South Sudan’s fragile peace process. He thanked…

More than a ceremonial and fashion show parade that we have observed for 31 years, the State of the Nation Address (SONA) remains a constitutional ritual mandated under Section 42(5) of the Constitution of 1996. It is one of the rare occasions that brings together the executive, legislature and judiciary under one roof, affirming diplomacy and Parliament’s role in holding the government to account and bringing certainty to the country’s political, social and economic challenges and opportunities. Political memory and…

The 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa outlines the government’s priorities for economic growth, service delivery, infrastructure investment and the fight against crime. Constitutionally, SONA is not merely ceremonial. It is a foundational mechanism through which Parliament is enabled to exercise oversight and set the national policy agenda. In this sense, it remains one of the most important events in South Africa’s democratic calendar. At a time of persistent economic fragility, infrastructure strain and…

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday deliver his 10th State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces at Cape Town City Hall, against a backdrop of deepening socio-economic strain and intensifying political scrutiny. Presidency said SONA 2026 would outline the government’s programme of action for the coming financial year, reflect on progress made and confront persistent challenges. “The State of the Nation Address is an annual overview delivered…

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to officially open the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy at the Drakenstein Correctional Facility in the Western Cape on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in South Africa’s commitment to humane correctional practices and human rights. Drakenstein Correctional Facility, formerly known as Victor Verster Prison, is historically significant as the site from which Nelson Mandela walked to freedom on 10 February 1990 after 27 years of imprisonment. That moment is widely regarded as a turning point…

A sense of pride, joy and quiet awe filled the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings on Friday, as President Cyril Ramaphosa officially welcomed the FIFA World Cup Original Trophy to South Africa, marking a historic and emotional moment in the country’s football journey. Bathed in sunshine and framed by the seat of government, invited guests, football legends, government leaders and members of the Bafana Bafana World Cup squad gathered in anticipation as the most coveted prize in world…

The Nkabinde Inquiry has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to extend its completion deadline to 30 June 2026, saying the additional time will allow it to fully and properly conclude its work. The Presidency on Thursday confirmed that President Ramaphosa had granted the extension to the inquiry chaired by retired Constitutional Court justice Baaitse Elizabeth “Bess” Nkabinde, which is probing the fitness of Advocate Andrew Chauke to hold office as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in South Gauteng. The inquiry…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly released the names of senior police officers and municipal officials implicated in the Madlanga Commission’s three-month interim report, marking a dramatic escalation in a probe that has laid bare alleged criminal syndicates operating inside South Africa’s criminal justice system. The interim report of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, chaired by retired constitutional court justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, identifies prima facie evidence of wrongdoing against a number…