DDP Hosts Annual Post SONA Forum as Citizens Question the Realities Behind the 2026 State of the Nation Address
The Democracy Development Program (DDP) convened its Annual Post‑SONA Forum at the Elangeni Hotel on 26 February 2026, bringing together analysts, activists, and ordinary citizens to critically evaluate President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address. Facilitated by Sphamandla Mhlongo, the gathering created a dynamic space for South Africans to reflect on the promises, implications, and shortcomings of SONA 2026.
Opening the discussion, Mhlongo reminded participants that the President’s address marks the beginning, not the conclusion, of democratic engagement. “SONA should not be the end of the national conversation,” he said. “It should be the beginning of public scrutiny, dialogue, and accountability.” His framing set the tone for a forum that sought to bridge the widening gap between official policy commitments and the lived realities of South Africans.
Throughout the session, participants wrestled with familiar frustrations: the country’s persistent socio‑economic crises, erratic service delivery, weakened oversight institutions, and growing distrust toward political leadership. Despite years of assurances of renewal and accelerated development, many argued that community‑level realities remain unchanged.
Political economist Yolokazi Mfuto underscored the urgency of addressing entrenched inequality and unemployment. She warned that “approximately 38% of South Africans are still living below the poverty line, an alarming contradiction to the socio‑economic rights guaranteed by our Constitution.” While acknowledging that macroeconomic indicators may appear stable, she insisted that these figures “fail to reflect the harsh realities faced by millions.”
Mfuto spoke candidly about hunger, exclusion, and the stagnation facing young people. “Many households are going to bed hungry,” she said. “Young people remain trapped in a state of ‘waithood’ a prolonged form of socio‑economic stagnation.” She expressed concern over declining public trust in democratic institutions, noting that “when oversight institutions are perceived as weakened, citizens lose confidence in the very systems meant to protect them.” Yet she maintained an optimistic view of South Africa’s future, concluding, “Frameworks do not build nations; active citizenship does. It is young people who must safeguard the future by holding leaders accountable and participating fully in democratic life.”
Security analyst Matthew Kimble turned his attention to the controversial proposal to deploy the South African National Defence Force in response to policing failures. He urged citizens to reflect carefully on the constitutional implications. “The question isn’t simply whether we should deploy the army,” he said. “The real question is: What kind of defence force do we want in a constitutional democracy?”
Kimble warned that the SANDF, trained for combat, is ill‑suited for routine policing duties, cautioning that its increased presence in civilian life risks “the militarisation of society.” While he acknowledged that internal deployments may occasionally be necessary, he stressed they must be limited and tightly controlled. “If the SANDF is deployed, it must be under strict oversight, with clear mandates, and in full cooperation with the police. Soldiers must never replace the police, they can only supplement them.” He added that the debate ultimately speaks to broader democratic values: “In defining the SANDF’s role, we are ultimately choosing what type of democracy we want to preserve.”
Community advocate Thapelo Mohapi examined how SONA 2026 has shaped public perceptions of the state’s responsiveness to economic marginalisation. He emphasised the disconnect between national promises and everyday hardship. “People are still living in extreme poverty. Families are suffering. Children are dying from malnutrition,” he said. “Citizens are losing faith because they don’t see change where it matters most, on the ground.”
Mohapi argued that the public is increasingly questioning not just policy content but political will. “It’s no longer about what plans government has,” he said. “It’s about whether there is genuine commitment to implementation and accountability.” Calling on the country’s youth to claim their place in the political arena, he said, “South Africa has brilliant young people who can serve as Members of Parliament, legislators, and leaders. Instead of withdrawing from politics, the youth must run toward it.” He concluded that meaningful transformation requires both active participation and state responsiveness: “Perceptions of state failure will shift only when young people step forward to transform the political space and demand accountability from within.”
As the forum concluded, attendees echoed a shared sentiment: South Africa’s democratic future hinges not only on government performance but on the willingness of citizens to engage critically and constructively. One participant summarised the spirit of the event, remarking that “democracy is not built in Parliament alone, it is built in forums like this, where citizens challenge, question, and co‑create the future.”
The Post‑SONA Forum reaffirmed DDP’s commitment to nurturing an informed and engaged citizenry. The conversations at the Elangeni Hotel highlighted that accountability, participation, and collective responsibility remain central to South Africa’s path forward.
Watch the full video here> https://www.youtube.com/live/uYra_4rJF3Y?si=agqiv8-201RCVCAo
