by Marion Smith
Members of the diplomatic community gathered at The Forum Embassy Hill for the Nedbank State of the Nation Address Screening Dinner 2026, hosted in collaboration with Embassy Direct and BMW. The exclusive evening brought together ambassadors, high commissioners, senior government officials and business leaders for dialogue, insight and meaningful engagement around South Africa’s national priorities.
As Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address, the screening dinner provided a valuable platform for reflection and discussion on the country’s policy direction and strategic priorities for the year ahead. Central to the President’s address was a renewed focus on economic recovery, inclusive growth and job creation, alongside strengthening the capacity of the state.
Key priorities outlined during the SONA included:
• Accelerating economic growth through infrastructure investment, energy security reforms and increased private sector participation.
• Job creation, with a strong emphasis on youth employment, skills development and support for small and medium sized enterprises.
• Energy and logistics reform, including stabilising electricity supply and improving the efficiency of ports and rail to enhance competitiveness.
• Strengthening governance and fighting corruption, reinforcing accountability across public institutions.
• Advancing social cohesion and service delivery, ensuring improved access to housing, healthcare and education.
• Deepening South Africa’s global partnerships, particularly across the African continent and with international investors and trading partners.
This year’s SONA carried particular historical significance, marking 36 years since Nelson Mandela walked free from prison, a defining milestone in South Africa’s democratic journey. The moment served as a powerful reminder of the nation’s resilience, progress and the collective responsibility to advance freedom, equality and opportunity for all.
A high level panel discussion enriched the evening’s programme, featuring Nicky Weimar, Group Chief Economist at Nedbank; Phindiwe Mbhele, Director: Corporate Accounts and Immigration at the Department of Home Affairs; Calvin Phume, Director: African Bilateral Economic Relations at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition; and James Hickman, Country Manager and Executive Director of Amazon Web Services South Africa. The discussion was moderated by Niron Rampersad, Divisional Executive of Nedbank Trade.
Further insights were shared by Jason Quinn, Group Chief Executive of Nedbank, and Eria Phirin, Consul General for Zimbabwe in Johannesburg, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation, economic diplomacy and investor confidence.
The Nedbank SONA Screening Dinner 2026 stood as an evening where policy met partnership and diplomacy met purpose, reinforcing a shared commitment to South Africa’s reform agenda, democratic values and continued engagement with the global community.
