The article provides an analysis of President Cyril Ramaphosa's adherence to the commitments made during his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) as the country anticipates the upcoming 2026 address. It highlights a key promise concerning the establishment of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency, which Ramaphosa pledged to complete within a year. The need for this agency arises from the widespread issues of water shortages exacerbated by deteriorating infrastructure, which has become a significant concern for many South Africans.

Furthermore, the article discusses how the establishment of the NWRIA is critical not just for maintaining water supply but also for addressing larger systemic problems within the country's water management framework. It emphasizes the importance of Ramaphosa's leadership in this matter, especially given the public's frustrations with current water shortages. The discussions surrounding these promises reflect broader themes of accountability and governance in South Africa.

As South Africa moves toward the next SONA, the scrutiny of President Ramaphosa’s fulfillment of past commitments will likely increase, particularly in light of pressing issues such as infrastructure development and service delivery. The evaluation of his promises serves both as a measure of his administration's effectiveness and as a gauge of public sentiment heading into the 2026 address.