Open Letter to the President ahead of #SONA2025

Dear Mr. President,

As you prepare to deliver your first State of the Nation Address (SONA) as the President of the Government of National Unity (GNU), South Africans are not looking for more promises—we are demanding action. Your address comes at a time when our economy remains stagnant after years of weak growth, persistently high unemployment and a declining standard of living.

More than 30 years into democracy, true liberation remains elusive for millions of South Africans. Poverty, inequality and exploitation continue to trap many in a cycle of suffering. The nation does not just want to hear about what remains in our coffers—we want a transparent, actionable plan for long-term economic and social transformation.

While discussions on critical issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), unemployment and social justice persist, progress remains largely rhetorical. We need real solutions, not more policy discussions that fail to materialise into tangible change.

A Global Crisis with Local Consequences

Mr. President, as we navigate our own challenges, we also enter the new year facing a significant global health setback: a policy shift in the United States that threatens gender equity and public health worldwide.

The Soul City Institute strongly condemns this regressive policy of the Global Gag Rule, which will have a devastating impact on the health, rights and lives of women, girls and marginalised communities—both globally and here in South Africa.

For marginalised communities, particularly women and girls, this policy adds yet another systemic barrier to essential healthcare. Historically, the Global Gag Rule has undermined SRHR programmes, and this latest shift will only further weaken already fragile healthcare systems.

The Soul City Institute firmly believes that access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare—including safe and legal abortion, contraception and maternal care—is a fundamental human right. The ripple effects disrupt life-saving services, from HIV prevention to mental health support.

Our Demands

Mr. President, we demand immediate clarity on the following:

1. How will your administration prevent external funding disruptions from jeopardising the health and wellbeing of South Africans?

2. What measures will be put in place to safeguard SRHR programmes from the devastating impact of foreign policy decisions?

3. What commitments will your government make to prioritise domestic health funding and invest in local initiatives to fill the gaps left by these restrictions?

Advocacy alone is not enough. Now, more than ever, we need decisive leadership that defends reproductive rights, protects gender minorities and guarantees every South African access to essential healthcare.

We await your response—not in words, but in action.