Ahead of Ramaphosa’s 2026 Sona: the facts on jobs, services and more – Africa Check

Report on South Africa’s Socioeconomic Status Ahead of President Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address

Introduction

On 12 February 2026, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to deliver the annual State of the Nation Address (SONA), outlining the country’s current status and future plans. This report presents key data on employment, basic services, education, housing, economic growth, social grants, and poverty, with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Access to Basic Services and SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Electricity Access

• In 2024, over 90% of South African households had access to electricity, a slight increase from 89.6% in 2022.
• Gauteng province recorded the lowest household electricity connection rate at 83.9%, down from 87.2% in 2002, attributed to high migration inflows.

Water Supply

• Access to piped water was 87.7% in 2024, with four provinces experiencing declines since 2002.
• Limpopo saw the sharpest drop in piped water access, from 73.8% in 2002 to 62.9% in 2024.
• Approximately 34% of households reported water supply disruptions lasting at least two days, with the highest interruptions in Mpumalanga (66.2%) and Northern Cape (58%).

Sanitation

• Access to improved sanitation slightly declined from 83.3% in 2023 to 83.1% in 2024.
• Nearly 160,000 households still rely on bucket toilets, highlighting ongoing sanitation challenges.

Education and SDG 4: Quality Education

• In 2025, 746,110 students sat for the national school leaving exams; 656,415 passed, achieving a record pass rate of 87.98%.
• However, only 49% of students enrolled in grade 10 in 2023 progressed to grade 12 by 2025, indicating challenges in educational retention.

Employment and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The unemployment rate was 31.9% in the third quarter of 2025; using the expanded definition including discouraged job seekers, it rose to 42.4%.
• Unemployment disparities persist along racial lines: 35.8% among Black South Africans, 22.1% among Coloured people, 13.9% among Indian/Asian people, and 8.1% among White people.
• Black South Africans have consistently faced the highest unemployment rates over the past decade.

Housing and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• In 2024/25, the government provided 45,788 serviced sites and 35,457 newly built houses, totaling 81,245 housing opportunities.
• A serviced site is a land plot connected to water, sanitation, and electricity, where beneficiaries build their own homes.
• As of September 2024, 3.3 million households or individuals were on the national housing needs register, indicating significant demand for government housing.

Economic Growth and Financial Health; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 0.6% between 2023 and 2024, primarily driven by increased agricultural production.
• The country’s debt-to-GDP ratio was 76.1% in 2024/25, expected to stabilize at 76.2% in 2025/26 before declining.
• Financial health assessments consider factors beyond debt ratios, including creditworthiness and repayment capacity.

Social Grants and SDG 1: No Poverty; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• In December 2025, 19.1 million social grants were paid to 12.1 million beneficiaries; some individuals receive multiple grants.
• Approximately 9 million individuals receive the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant monthly, bringing total social grant beneficiaries to 21.1 million.

Poverty and SDG 1: No Poverty

• In 2023, 37.9% of the population (about 23.2 million people) lived below the lower-bound poverty line of R1,300 per person per month.
• Sixty percent of those living in poverty reside in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, North West, and Limpopo provinces.
• Poverty disproportionately affects children and women.
• Nearly 11 million people live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than R777 per month.

Conclusion

The data ahead of President Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address reveal progress and persistent challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in South Africa. While improvements in electricity access, education pass rates, and housing provision are notable, significant disparities in unemployment, access to basic services, and poverty remain. Continued focus on inclusive growth, service delivery, and social protection is essential to advance the SDGs and improve the quality of life for all South Africans.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses poverty levels, including the percentage of the population living below the poverty line and extreme poverty.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Implied through social grants related to disability and child support, which affect health and well-being.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education – The article highlights education statistics, including school leaving exam pass rates and progression rates.
4. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Access to piped water, water supply disruptions, and sanitation facilities are discussed.
5. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Access to electricity and disparities across provinces are covered.
6. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Unemployment rates and GDP growth figures are presented.
7. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Housing development and serviced sites relate to infrastructure development.
8. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article mentions unemployment disparities along racial lines and unequal access to services.
9. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Housing opportunities and urban migration issues are referenced.
10. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – While crime is mentioned briefly, the article mainly focuses on service delivery and governance data.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 1 – No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions.
   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.
2. SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including social protection.
3. SDG 4 – Quality Education
   • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education.
   • Target 4.5: Eliminate gender disparities and ensure equal access to all levels of education.
4. SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.
   • Target 6.2: Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.
5. SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
6. SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.
   • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances.
7. SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
8. SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote social, economic and political inclusion of all.
9. SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. SDG 1 Indicators
   • Percentage of population living below the lower-bound poverty line (37.9% in 2023).
   • Number of people living in extreme poverty (nearly 11 million).
   • Number of social grant beneficiaries (12.1 million direct, 21.1 million including SRD grants).
2. SDG 4 Indicators
   • National senior certificate pass rate (87.98% in 2025).
   • Percentage of students progressing from grade 10 to grade 12 (49%).
3. SDG 6 Indicators
   • Percentage of households with access to piped water (87.7% in 2024).
   • Percentage of households experiencing water supply disruptions (34%).
   • Percentage of households with access to improved sanitation (83.1% in 2024).
   • Number of households using bucket toilets (almost 160,000).
4. SDG 7 Indicators
   • Percentage of households with access to electricity (just over 90% in 2024).
   • Provincial disparities in electricity access (e.g., Gauteng at 83.9%).
5. SDG 8 Indicators
   • Unemployment rate (31.9% in Q3 2025; 42.4% expanded definition).
   • Unemployment rates by race (e.g., 35.8% for black South Africans).
   • GDP growth rate (0.6% between 2023 and 2024).
6. SDG 9 and 11 Indicators
   • Number of housing opportunities created (81,245 in 2024/25).
   • Number of households on the national housing needs register (3.3 million).
   • Number of serviced sites and newly built houses provided.
7. SDG 10 Indicators
   • Unemployment disparities by racial groups.
   • Access disparities to services such as electricity and water among provinces and groups.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: allafrica.com