Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka Mbete,

Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Thandi Modise,

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP,

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng and esteemed members of the judiciary,

Former President, Mr Thabo Mbeki,

Former President, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Frene Ginwala,

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Max Sisulu,

Ministers and Deputy Ministers,

Premiers and Speakers of Provincial Legislatures,

Chairperson of SALGA and Executive Mayors,

Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, Mr Lesetja Kganyago,

Heads of Chapter 9 Institutions,

Isithwalandwe, Ms Sophie De Bruyn,

Isithwalandwe, Mr Andrew Mlangeni,

Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu,

Western Cape Khoi San Leader, Prince Jacobus Titus,

Kgosi John Molefe Pilane,

Chief Aaron Martin Messelaar,

2018 CAF Women’s National Team Coach of the Year, Ms Desiree Ellis,

Leaders of faith based organisations,

Leaders of academic and research institutions,

Veterans of the struggle for liberation,

Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Invited Guests,

Honourable Members of the National Assembly,

Honourable Members of the National Council of Provinces,

Fellow South Africans,

It is a great honour to stand before you today to deliver the 25th annual State of the Nation Address in a free and democratic South Africa.

This year, as a diverse people and as a united nation, we will celebrate one of the greatest of human achievements.

We will celebrate the triumph of freedom over subjugation, the triumph of democracy over racial tyranny, the triumph of hope over despair.

We will celebrate the irresistible determination of an oppressed people to be free and equal and fulfilled.

We will use this time to recall the hardship and the suffering which generations of our people endured – their struggles, their sacrifices and their undying commitment to build a South Africa that belongs to all who live in it.

Full Speech Attached