As South Africa prepares for President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on February 12, the article presents critical data on various issues affecting the nation. Key topics that are likely to be addressed include employment, electricity availability, crime statistics, and service delivery, all of which are scrutinized based on current and historical data. The aim is to provide citizens a clearer insight into the progress the country has made in these areas.

Particularly noteworthy is the state of basic services like electricity, which has seen improvements, with around 90% of households connected in 2024, a modest increase from previous years. However, disparities exist, especially in areas like Gauteng, where only about 83.9% of households have access to electricity. This indicates that while the national statistics may seem promising, the reality on the ground presents a more complex picture of service delivery, which warrants attention during the upcoming address.

The upcoming SONA is not just a platform for Ramaphosa to present his government's achievements but also an opportunity to address ongoing challenges. As public scrutiny rises with these facts in mind, citizens are encouraged to engage critically with the information presented and the government's commitments towards service delivery and economic recovery, especially in the face of the disparities revealed by the data. The article serves as a preparatory piece, equipping citizens with relevant statistics to follow the presidential address more critically.