OUTA Sceptical Ahead of SONA 2026: More Promises or Real Action?

As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) for 2026, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has voiced significant skepticism. According to OUTA, this year’s address risks being yet another exercise in political messaging, falling short of providing tangible solutions to South Africa’s persistent challenges.

A Familiar Tune: Rhetoric Over Results?

OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage didn’t mince words, pointing to a historical pattern where SONA addresses have often served as platforms to highlight the governing ANC’s perceived achievements, while offering little clarity on practical strategies to boost the economy and improve citizens’ lives.

“Over the years, South Africans have heard repeated rhetoric about stabilising state-owned entities, creating jobs, alleviating poverty, improving service delivery and strengthening law enforcement,” Duvenage stated. “Yet there is little evidence of sustained implementation or impact.”

Duvenage highlighted how SONA announcements frequently lead to the establishment of task teams, frameworks, and pilot projects that, regrettably, fail to translate into meaningful change, particularly at the crucial local government level. Despite consistent commitments to professionalise the public service, conduct lifestyle audits, protect whistleblowers, and enhance service delivery, progress has remained minimal.

Governance Under Scrutiny: From SETAs to the NPA

OUTA also took aim at the government’s handling of leadership and governance issues within key institutions, citing a worrying trend of delayed appointments and questionable reappointments.

• SETAs: Duvenage criticised the missed opportunity to reform governance in Sector Education and Training Authorities, where rushed reappointments, including individuals linked to past governance failures and qualified audits, occurred instead of bringing in fresh leadership after five-year terms expired.
• NPA & Other Boards: Questions were raised about the process surrounding leadership changes at the National Prosecuting Authority, as well as ongoing delays and extensions for boards like SANRAL and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).

“These patterns reflect a broader failure to act decisively against poor performance in state institutions,” Duvenage asserted, underscoring a systemic issue.

Fixing the Criminal Justice System and Economy

Revelations from the Madlanga Commission have laid bare serious weaknesses within South Africa’s criminal justice system, including law enforcement agencies and oversight structures. While the SONA is expected to reiterate commitments to restoring law and order, OUTA warns that such promises risk becoming “lip service” without concrete reforms.

Duvenage advocates for stronger capacity and coordination across crucial bodies like SARS, the NPA, the Hawks, the SIU, and the courts, alongside targeted task teams to dismantle organised crime syndicates. He also drew attention to the debilitating impact of illicit trade in tobacco, alcohol, and misclassified imports, which continues to undermine industries, destroy jobs, and erode vital tax revenue.

“What South Africa needs is decisive action to cut waste, eliminate duplication, reform failing entities and address governance failures in state boards,” he passionately argued, also calling for a review of the “deeply dysfunctional” SETA system.

Local Government: A Critical Threat

Perhaps one of the most pressing concerns for OUTA is the state of local government, which Duvenage views as a significant threat to service delivery and public trust. Citing the pervasive sewage pollution of rivers as a stark example of systemic failure, he stressed the potential for meaningful partnerships between government, business, and civil society to address these issues – if only there was decisive leadership from the presidency and Cabinet.

Rethinking Government’s Role: Enabling Growth

In his closing remarks, Duvenage urged the government to fundamentally rethink its economic role, shifting focus from being a job creator to enabling private-sector growth. This involves:

• Regulatory reform and reduced red tape.
• A comprehensive review of BBBEE policies, which OUTA believes have failed to meet their objectives.
• Divesting from state-owned enterprises operating in competitive sectors (e.g., Denel, SAA).
• Introducing private-sector equity partners in entities with mixed commercial and social mandates (e.g., Post Office, SABC).

“As the President prepares to address the nation, South Africans will be looking beyond promises,” Duvenage concluded. “They will be asking whether government is finally prepared to act.” The question remains: will SONA 2026 deliver the actionable plan the nation desperately needs, or will it be another cycle of familiar rhetoric?

Source: Original Article