President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his ninth State Of the Nation Address on Thursday.
Ramaphosa kicked off his address by paying tribute to the 14 soldiers who died during violent clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ramaphosa went on to lay out government's roadmap for the year ahead.
Here are 10 key points from Ramaphosa's speech:
Celebration of the Freedom Charter: Ramaphosa noted that the address marks 70 years since the adoption of the Freedom Charter, emphasising its role as the cornerstone of South Africa's democratic Constitution and a guide for building a united and prosperous nation.
National Unity and Dialogue: A call for a National Dialogue invites South Africans to collaboratively define a vision for the next 30 years, reinforcing the importance of cooperation across diverse backgrounds.
Economic Growth and Job Creation: The government's urgent priority is to drive inclusive economic growth and job creation, along with initiatives to reduce poverty and improve living standards.
Reforming Public Services: There is a commitment to strengthen the public service for better governance, including the introduction of a graduate recruitment scheme to attract skilled individuals.
Infrastructure Investment: The government plans to invest over R940 billion in infrastructure over the next three years, focusing on revitalising roads, bridges, and essential services.
Energy Security: Efforts are underway to reform the energy system to ensure long-term security, including the establishment of a competitive electricity market and mobilizing private investment.
Water Resource Management: Addressing the water crisis is a priority, with significant investments in large water infrastructure projects and the establishment of a National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency.
Economic Transformation: A transformation fund worth R20 billion annually will focus on empowering black-owned and small enterprises, addressing historical inequalities.
Employment Opportunities for Youth: The government aims to create more job opportunities for young people through innovative employment programs and support for skills development.
Combatting Corruption: The establishment of an Investigating Directorate Against Corruption and a digital forensics lab aims to enhance efforts to investigate and prosecute high-level corruption cases.
IOL