13 February 2026

Comment: SONA 2026

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The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC welcomes the opportunity to comment on the State of the Nation Address 2026 delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the 12th of February 2026. In our opinion, we believe that this year’s SONA was largely positive and filled with numerous promises. However, it appeared to be more focused on reactive measures and crisis mitigation rather than proactive, long-term solutions. As organised business we wish to highlight the following:

Presidential eThekwini Working Group
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC notes the efforts of the PeWG to stabilise eThekwini’s economy and strengthen business confidence. We have observed this working group making significant progress in addressing critical challenges that have threatened Durban’s economic stability. This collaboration has not only delivered tangible improvements in confidence and service delivery but has also demonstrated the positive outcomes that can be achieved when government and the private sector work together in the interests of business. While much work remains, we are encouraged by the direction taken and the progress already visible. However, it is essential to focus on sustaining and further improving business confidence. Investor confidence has risen before, but the true test lies in our ability to maintain it over the long term.

Cheap and Illicit Goods
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC notes the presidency’s efforts in addressing the threat of illegal and cheap goods. As organised business, we believe that government took a long time to address this threat, and they further failed to provide clear timelines in terms of when these efforts will roll out. We are seeing our manufacturers, especially our SMMEs, being impacted significantly, and we need to see mediation taking place immediately. As organised business, we believe that we need to leverage our strategic assets and position Durban as a manufacturing hub. Whilst we promote international trade, we need to focus on becoming a self-reliant economy. It is only then that we be able to see drastic changes South Africa’s economic growth.

Water Shortages
As organised business, we welcome the efforts taken to address water shortages and acknowledge the R156 billion allocated for water and sanitation infrastructure over the next three years. Many businesses have already had to absorb the costs of downtime and independent water purchases simply to ensure productivity continues. This highlights the pressing need for sustainable maintenance, infrastructure, and planning to ensure economic stability.

AGOA
Whilst we acknowledge President Cyril Ramaphosa’s firm stance on sovereignty and his emphasis on the African Continental Free Trade Area, we find it surprising that he did not provide any context regarding AGOA, especially given the benefits it offers and the uncertainty surrounding the agreement. As organised business, we seek clarity on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to better understand South Africa’s standing within the agreement.

In our opinion, the SONA highlighted that South Africa is moving in the right direction, offering promises and ambitious plans to address challenges that have long impacted businesses. As organsied business, we believe that for us to see tangible progress, implementation must be prioritised, and the SONA must align meaningfully with the Budget to ensure delivery.

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About the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC
Founded in 1856, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC is the largest member-based metropolitan chamber in Southern Africa. We represent approximately 3,000 businesses in eThekwini and beyond, ranging from multinationals to corporates and SMMEs. Since 2019, we also represent 54,000 informal sector businesses through their business associations. Policy and advocacy are at the heart of our work and we assist members with securing trade and investment opportunities locally and internationally, providing business advisory services (CIPC, Certificate of Origin, ITC checks, HR consultancy and more) across a broad spectrum of sectors, engaging thought leadership through forum webinars and other networking events, sharing business information through digital platforms, and also sourcing business insights through occasional questionnaires. The Durban Chamber advocates and influences policy decisions that affect the interests of business (tax legislation, import and export regulations and more), offering member benefits and providing information relevant to business decision-making. As a business-based and member-focused organisation, our strategic purpose is to help create a conducive economic and business environment to facilitate and promote economic growth in the region in partnership with key stakeholders.

For more info, contact the Durban Chamber on 031 335 1000 or info@durbanchamber.co.za
Our website is www.durbanchamber.co.za

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Comment attribution: Palesa Phili, CEO, The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC

Media contacts:

Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry NPC
Ms Zanele Khomo
Chief Growth Officer
T: +27 31 335 1000
E: khomoz@durbanchamber.co.za