President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the 14 South African soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
President Ramaphosa read out the names of the fallen soldiers, who he said had paid with their lives to silence the guns across the African continent.
He’s ordered the South African flag to be flown at half-mast from Friday.
Ramaphosa is delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament.
‘SA will not be dictated to’
President Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to sovereignty, stating that the nation will not be dictated to.
He emphasises unity, saying South Africans stand together on shared humanity, not the survival of the fittest.
Ramaphosa also highlights economic growth and job creation as key priorities for the country.
Energy
The President says the country’s energy sector is on a positive trajectory, stressing that a complete reform of the energy system is underway.
Ramaphosa says the government will release R940 billion to build and upgrade infrastructure over the next three years.
He adds that the Just Energy Transition is gaining momentum.
He says South Africans must move beyond the risk of load shedding. This, despite the reintroduction of load shedding last weekend.
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