Highlights: Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his state of the nation address to Parliament in Cape Town. The Head of State reviewed the actions carried out by the ANC since 1994. Among the issues that have not been resolved under his presidency is the issue of load shedding. General elections are due to be held in the country this year, although the precise date has not yet been communicated. The first opposition party, the center-right Democratic Alliance and its leader, John Steenhuisen, said South Africa is going in the wrong direction.

In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his state of the nation address to Parliament in Cape Town. For the Head of State, this platform was an opportunity to return…

South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa promises end to power cuts

In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his state of the nation address to Parliament in Cape Town. For the Head of State, this platform was an opportunity to review the actions carried out by the ANC, both under his presidency, but also since the party came to power in 1994.

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Cyril Ramaphosa during his state of the nation speech, February 8, 2024. AFP - ESA ALEXANDER

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in South Africa

Claire Bargelès

As the country celebrates 30 years since its first free elections this year,

Cyril Ramaphosa

listed all the policies put in place by

the ANC

which were able to help

South Africa

's young people born under democracy, while also recognizing their limits: “

Despite all the remarkable successes of the last 30 years, many children of democracy still face great challenges. Millions of young people between 15 and 24 years old, for example, are without employment, studies or training

.”

And among the issues that have not been resolved under his presidency is the issue of load shedding, since the public company Eskom is regularly unable to meet demand. On this point,

Cyril Ramaphosa wanted to reassure his voters.

“

We are convinced that the worst is behind us and that the end of power cuts is finally within reach in May

,” he said.

Also read: Repeated power cuts, a danger for the economy in South Africa

All too familiar promises for the first opposition party, the center-right Democratic Alliance and its leader, John Steenhuisen. “

You can describe South Africa as a rugby match with two halves: the first 15 years, our economy progressed, there were improvements. But everything has been lost over the last 15 years. All the indicators we use to know if a country is going in the right direction indicate that South Africa is going in the wrong direction

,” he said.

This speech was special because it was the last state of the nation address of Cyril Ramaphosa's first term. General elections are due to be held in the country this year, although the precise date has not yet been communicated. On this issue, the presidential spokesperson assured that the timetable would be announced by the end of the month.

South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa promises end to power cuts

South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa promises end to power cuts

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