The Democratic Alliance (DA), meanwhile, has referred to Ramaphosa as a 'nowhere man" a reference to the Beatles song.

He said the vaccines would be paid for largely by public funds while the private sector, especially private health funders, would augment this.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has targeted fighting corruption and building the capacity of the state as one of the government’s four top goals for the coming year.

President Cyril Ramaphosa also announced the extension until 15 March of the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s Temporary Employee-Employer Scheme (TERS) – but only for business sectors that have been unable to operate.

President Cyril Ramaphosa came across as the chief executive of South Africa Incorporated last night, reporting back to the board and shareholders after a catastrophic year, with murky waters still ahead.

The president's announcement on the imminent arrival of more than 40 million doses of vaccine will be welcomed after problems emerged with the efficacy of AstraZeneca’s vaccine.

ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina has listed her expectations of President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address, but she's also said he should pull no punches on what could not be achieved by his government due to the pandemic.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) in Parliament on Thursday evening against a grim backdrop of a staggering economy, deepening unemployment and a stalled vaccine rollout.

While Parliament budgeted R2.2 million for the event, the bill was expected to be minimal because the only significant cost would be the webinar that connects parliamentarians and guests online.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a candle-lighting ceremony with National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Amos Masonda before he takes to the podium at 7 pm.

The consortium has already paid R24.7 milion of the purchase price.

Parliament’s presiding officers, National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise and National Council of Provinces chairperson Amos Masondo, have been briefing the media on final preparations for Sona.

The Constitutional Court ruled in June last year that this part of the Electoral Act was unconstitutional. It has given parliament 24 months – until June 2022 – to fix the defect.

Cope president Mosiuoa Lekota and party colleague Farouk Cassim briefed Parliament’s home affairs committee on the bill on Tuesday.

The Constitutional Court ruled in June last year that the Electoral Act was unconstitutional in so far as it only allowed for the election of members of Parliament and provincial legislatures through political parties.

Acting commissioner of the BMA, Gene Ravele, told Parliament the congestion at land ports of entry over the festive season was largely due to insufficient numbers of Health Department staff to carry out PCR tests for COVID-19.

The amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism approached the apex court for confirmation of the High Court’s 2017 decision.

Eskom, Transnet, the SABC all got qualified audit opinions. Even worse, disclaimers were issued for Denel and Prasa.