President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday, 12 February 2026, during the State of the Nation Address. Picture: Phando Jikelo/Parliament of RSA
By Bryson Bichwa, AUBA Southern Africa
CAPE TOWN – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says growing fragmentation in the global trading system is firmly on the government’s radar, as South Africa moves to shield and strengthen its economy amid rising international uncertainty.
The President made the remarks on Thursday evening while delivering his ninth State of the Nation Address before a joint sitting of Parliament in Cape Town a milestone unmatched by any other head of state in South Africa’s democratic era.
His address comes at a time of heightened trade tensions between South Africa and the United States, placing additional pressure on local industries and export-driven sectors.
Trade Tensions and Global Pressures
Last year, US President Donald Trump imposed unilateral tariffs on certain South African imports and repeated widely discredited claims alleging a so-called “white genocide” in the country.
Against this backdrop of global economic turbulence, Ramaphosa stressed that South Africa would stand firmly behind its established industries to cushion them from external shocks.
“We have taken steps to rejuvenate our ferrochrome sector and to safeguard employment in the steel, automotive and other industries that provide hundreds of thousands of South Africans with stable, decent-paying jobs,” he said.
The President added that government is working closely with business leaders and labour representatives to tighten loopholes in the country’s tariff framework.
“We are collaborating with business and workers to address gaps in our tariff structure and to introduce further measures aimed at strengthening and expanding our manufacturing sector.”
Protecting Jobs, Driving Future Growth
While defending vulnerable industries, Ramaphosa emphasized that the government remains focused on sectors with strong long-term growth potential.
“We are confident that millions of sustainable jobs can be generated in industries such as agriculture, mining, services and the green economy.”
He said these sectors would play a critical role in driving inclusive growth, boosting exports and reducing unemployment, particularly among young people.
Fiscal Measures to Address Malnutrition
The President also signalled that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will outline targeted fiscal interventions to confront South Africa’s growing malnutrition crisis when he delivers the upcoming Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement.
According to Ramaphosa, the planned measures will form part of a broader strategy to strengthen social protection systems, support vulnerable households and ensure that economic recovery efforts translate into tangible improvements in living conditions.
As global economic headwinds persist, the government says it remains committed to balancing industrial protection, trade reform and social support in a bid to stabilise and grow Africa’s most industrialised economy.
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