Pretoria: Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has outlined government's key reform priorities ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address (SONA), highlighting urgent interventions in water security, crime, economic recovery, and local government reform. Speaking to GoZa TV on Thursday, Ntshavheni said the President's address would detail short, medium, and long-term plans to tackle some of the country's most pressing challenges.
According to South African Government News Agency, addressing the water shortages in Gauteng, Ntshavheni emphasised that the crisis extends beyond Johannesburg. She confirmed that President Ramaphosa has dispatched the Minister of Water and Sanitation Pemmy Majodina and the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa to assess the situation on the ground. Ntshavheni mentioned legislative amendments that enable national government intervention in water issues due to local government capacity. She also called on citizens to reduce consumption amid high demand.
On the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Minister Ntshavheni said rebuilding vaccine production capacity was a priority. South Africa needs to regain its FMD-free status to prevent impacts on food crisis and beef exports. The President is expected to outline further measures to secure adequate vaccine supply and protect the agricultural sector.
Regarding crime and corruption, Ntshavheni said government's focus is shifting from petty crime to organised criminal networks. She referenced measures emerging from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and urged citizens not to enable corruption. She also called on communities to report criminal activity, including gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Ntshavheni said improvements in rail and port infrastructure are beginning to support economic recovery, highlighting reduced transport costs for low- and middle-income earners. She mentioned port decongestion and new private sector participation in rail corridors as key to boosting exports and economic growth. Growth projections are improving, and reforms in energy and logistics are yielding results.
With local government elections on the horizon, Ntshavheni stressed that reforms are focused on capacity, not campaigning. Reviewing the White Paper on Local Government is central to building a capable and skilled local government able to deliver essential services. Ntshavheni also called for stronger partnerships between municipalities, traditional leaders, and communities.
In her closing remarks, Ntshavheni urged South Africans to use SONA as an opportunity to reflect and engage, linking this call to significant national milestones. She emphasized the importance of partnering with government to build a better South Africa together.
