State of the Nation, now we can focus on the state Johannesburg, our most important city

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Fri 10 Feb   So the big, early season political dates for President Cyril Ramaphosa have passed. ANC anniversary on January 8 (a rather bland event) and the State of the Nation yesterday. It’s probably his last big public-facing event before he gets on with his 2024 election campaigning. Press conferences aren’t really as important an event on his itinerary, if only they were. Maybe, just maybe he’d be better understood by all of his and even his inner circle in truth. But we can only hope. So onto the next big stories for us as the Mail & Guardian, which for the weeks to come is the state of Johannesburg. Being from a small town of Pietermaritzburg in Kwazulu-Natal, I’ve always wanted to get on the highway to Johannesburg. There’s been lots of noise about just how tattered and torn the city looks of late, but in truth, it’s been so for a number of years. That excitement around inner city redevelopment has long cooled, and those investors probably looked to continue the gentrification effects in Cape Town. It’s been a few years now since that bubble of excitement has popped. Despite this, it’s still one of the most vibrant cities south of the Tropic of Capricorn, people still bussing in from the hinterlands of our country every day, not to mention outside our borders. Its health matters to all our prospects, no matter where you are. Johannesburg, Cairo, Lagos – are the most important economic nodes on the continent, maybe Nairobi squeezes in there as well. Their health is critical. Look out for next week’s Mail & Guardian focus on Johannesburg. Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@RonDerby]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Mail & Guardian and the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung would like to invite you to join us and a panel of experts at the Critical Thinking Forum that will discuss Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation address. Sign up [here]( [Sona: Ramaphosa announces state of disaster, new electricity minister to tackle energy crisis]( With the country’s economy on the brink, the president assured the nation that ending load-shedding is his government’s top priority Join thousands of South Africans who want a more just South Africa. Read past party lines, past the bluster and the distortion. Get the best reporting, analysis and commentary that is factual, balanced and fair with uninterrupted access to all Mail & Guardian content online. 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Plus - Preferential access to Mail & Guardian events - Get daily conversation starters straight into your inbox - An invitation to join the newsroom’s Review session on Friday mornings - Lend your expertise and experience to the stories we tell [// Read more]( [M&G Critical Thinking Forum | State of the Nation Address]( The M&G and the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung would like to invite you to join us and a panel of experts at the Critical Thinking Forum that will discuss Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation address Join thousands of South Africans who want a more just South Africa. Read past party lines, past the bluster and the distortion. Get the best reporting, analysis and commentary that is factual, balanced and fair with uninterrupted access to all Mail & Guardian content online. Plus - Preferential access to Mail & Guardian events - Get daily conversation starters straight into your inbox - An invitation to join the newsroom’s Review session on Friday mornings - Lend your expertise and experience to the stories we tell [// Read more]( Recommended Reads [Ramaphosa announces national state of disaster on energy]( In a hint of what will come in his cabinet reshuffle, the president sidelined Mantashe with plan to appoint energy minister in the presidency Join thousands of South Africans who want a more just South Africa. Read past party lines, past the bluster and the distortion. Get the best reporting, analysis and commentary that is factual, balanced and fair with uninterrupted access to all Mail & Guardian content online. 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Plus - Preferential access to Mail & Guardian events - Get daily conversation starters straight into your inbox - An invitation to join the newsroom’s Review session on Friday mornings - Lend your expertise and experience to the stories we tell [// Read more]( [PODCAST | The state of the nation]( Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh chats with Lukhone Mnguni about loadshedding, South Africa's governance crisis, the 55th ANC National Conference, and SONA Join thousands of South Africans who want a more just South Africa. Read past party lines, past the bluster and the distortion. Get the best reporting, analysis and commentary that is factual, balanced and fair with uninterrupted access to all Mail & Guardian content online. Plus - Preferential access to Mail & Guardian events - Get daily conversation starters straight into your inbox - An invitation to join the newsroom’s Review session on Friday mornings - Lend your expertise and experience to the stories we tell [// Read more]( [Is Nersa really to blame for Eskom’s mess?]( Political parties and NGOs will be taking Nersa and Eskom to court for granting the utility an 18.65% tariff hike Join thousands of South Africans who want a more just South Africa. Read past party lines, past the bluster and the distortion. Get the best reporting, analysis and commentary that is factual, balanced and fair with uninterrupted access to all Mail & Guardian content online. Plus - Preferential access to Mail & Guardian events - Get daily conversation starters straight into your inbox - An invitation to join the newsroom’s Review session on Friday mornings - Lend your expertise and experience to the stories we tell [// Read more]( Pic of the day Damp squib: There’s little to brag about on the red carpet outside parliament this year. (Ziyaad Douglas/Gallo Images) [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa