13 February 2026
The Federation of Unions of South Africa has considered the 2026 State of the Nation Address delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
FEDUSA approached this SONA with clear expectations. We called for the restoration of state capacity, accountability, merit based governance, and a decisive shift from promises to delivery. Workers and poor communities are not interested in rhetoric. They want functioning municipalities, safe streets, affordable electricity, decent jobs and, most urgently, water in their taps.
Water crisis must be treated as a national priority
FEDUSA welcomes the President’s acknowledgement that water is now one of the most serious issues facing communities across the country. The announcement of a National Water Crisis Committee chaired by the President signals recognition that the crisis has reached emergency levels. We also note the commitment of substantial public funding over the medium term for water and sanitation infrastructure,
the establishment of a National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency, and the intention to intervene in municipalities that fail to deliver water services.
However, FEDUSA is clear: the water crisis must be treated as a top national priority, not only as a technical challenge but as a governance failure. In many areas, taps run dry not because the country lacks water, but because of poor planning, neglected maintenance, misuse of water revenue and weak municipal oversight. Workers cannot get to work on time, clinics cannot operate properly, schools are disrupted and small businesses collapse when water systems fail.
FEDUSA supports stronger accountability measures, including consequences for municipal managers and leadership where there is proven neglect or mismanagement. Revenue collected for water must be ring fenced and reinvested into maintenance and upgrades. Where municipalities are unable or unwilling to perform, national government must intervene swiftly. Communities should not be trapped in service
delivery collapse because of political paralysis.
Infrastructure allocations must be matched with strict procurement oversight to prevent corruption. The water crisis cannot become another site of tender abuse. FEDUSA will monitor implementation closely because water security is directly linked to dignity, health, productivity and economic stability.
Economic growth, industrial policy and job creation
FEDUSA supports the emphasis on inclusive growth and large scale infrastructure investment over the next three years. Investment in energy, transport, water and digital systems can stimulate economic activity and create jobs if implemented with strong local procurement and worker protections.
We welcome the commitment to revive the ferrochrome industry and protect jobs in steel, automotive and related value chains. These sectors sustain hundreds of thousands of livelihoods. We also support closing loopholes in the tariff structure and introducing additional measures to protect and grow local manufacturing, including sectors such as clothing, textiles and footwear. For too long, unfair imports and
weak enforcement have undermined local factories.
We further support efforts to expand beneficiation of critical minerals and build green manufacturing capacity. However, beneficiation must translate into real investment, real factories and real jobs. A green transition must not result in job losses in traditional sectors without credible plans for retraining and absorption.
Support for agriculture, including the deployment of extension officers and decisive action to contain foot and mouth disease, is necessary for food security and rural employment.
At the same time, FEDUSA reiterates that austerity remains an obstacle to sustainable growth and job creation. Infrastructure investment cannot succeed if public services are weakened and frontline workers are stretched beyond capacity. Government must adopt a worker centred fiscal approach that protects public services, invests in labour intensive sectors and rejects budget strategies that shift the burden onto working families.
Cost of living pressures
Workers continue to experience high food prices, transport costs and electricity tariffs. Any reform of the energy sector must ultimately stabilise and reduce costs. Households cannot absorb continuous tariff increases while wages remain under pressure.
While social grants provide necessary relief and reduce food poverty, they cannot replace sustainable employment. The economy must create decent jobs that restore dignity and reduce dependence on emergency support.
Crime, policing and accountability
FEDUSA supports stronger action against organised crime, gang violence and criminal syndicates that threaten communities and businesses. The commitment to recruit additional police officers and intensify operations against high risk sectors is welcomed.
The re vetting of senior police management and metro police departments, including lifestyle audits, must be fast tracked. Public trust in policing depends on visible accountability and ethical leadership. Corruption within law enforcement undermines both safety and economic confidence.
We also support steps to reform procurement systems and strengthen anti-corruption bodies. Workers and communities pay the price when public funds are looted.
Border controls, illicit trade and labour inspection
FEDUSA supports tighter border controls and stronger action against illicit trade and counterfeit goods that destroy local jobs. A coordinated approach to disrupting the illicit economy is necessary to protect compliant businesses and revenue.
The plan to increase the number of labour inspectors is welcomed. Effective labour inspection is essential to prevent exploitation, wage theft and unsafe working conditions. Employers who violate labour and immigration laws must face consequences. At the same time, enforcement must respect human rights and avoid fuelling xenophobic tensions.
Public employment, youth jobs and decent work
We support the expansion of public employment programmes and reforms to strengthen the skills development system. These programmes must serve as pathways to permanent employment and not entrench low wage cycles.
Youth unemployment remains a national emergency. Measures to expand work experience and improve the alignment between education and workplace training are necessary. However, employment must be decent, protected and fairly remunerated.
FEDUSA notes the President’s announcement of a fundamental overhaul of the skills development system, including the reform and reduction of Sector Education and Training Authorities to improve governance, strengthen industry participation and better align training with the needs of the economy. For many years, workers and employers have raised concerns about inefficiencies, weak oversight and
poor outcomes within parts of the SETA system. Reform is therefore necessary.
However, any restructuring of SETAs must prioritise accountability, transparency and measurable training outcomes. Skills development levies must translate into real workplace training, artisan development and accredited qualifications that lead to employment. Workers and organised labour must remain meaningfully represented in the governance of the system. Skills reform must not weaken worker
voice but must strengthen the link between training, productivity and decent jobs.
National minimum wage and low pay in public programmes
FEDUSA welcomed the recent adjustment to the national minimum wage. However, we remain concerned that Expanded Public Works Programme participants continue to earn far below a living wage. Government must urgently address this disparity. Public work must not trap workers in poverty.
Healthcare and NHI readiness
Strengthening public healthcare infrastructure is essential, especially in preparation for National Health Insurance. However, NHI will not succeed without fixing governance, procurement failures and staffing shortages in public facilities. Health workers cannot carry a collapsing system without adequate support.
Education and student funding
Learners must not suffer because of institutional neglect. The continued existence of pit toilets in schools is unacceptable and must be eradicated with clear timelines. In higher education, student accommodation shortages and funding gaps require urgent intervention.
Gender based violence and social stability
FEDUSA supports continued action against gender based violence and femicide. Commitments must be backed by resources, functioning courts and survivor support services. Safe communities are essential for economic and social stability.
Conclusion
The 2026 State of the Nation Address sets out a programme to drive growth, fight crime, reform local government and address the water crisis. FEDUSA welcomes the clearer action plans in areas such as infrastructure investment, industrial protection, policing reforms, tighter border controls and the elevation of the water crisis response. However, South Africans will judge government by delivery. Water must flow. Municipalities must function. Jobs must be created. Corruption must have consequences. FEDUSA will continue to engage government, monitor implementation and advocate for policies that place workers, the poor and vulnerable communities at the centre of economic and social reform.
END.