Ramaphosa to give economy a breather - political analyst
Political analyst Somadoda Fikeni believes President Cyril Ramaphosa will most likely announce a long-term solution to deal with the outbreak of coronavirus.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation on Thursday evening.
READ: DA: Ramaphosa must map out a clear post-lockdown path
He is expected to announce a relaxation of the regulations following the month-long hard lockdown.
Fikeni says Ramaphosa is also expected to tell South Africans that the country is not out of the woods yet.
“I do think that the president will first give us a state of where we are as a country, but more importantly he will begin to relax some of the restrictions, especially on economic activity, whilst still indicating to the nation that we are in this for the long haul.
“This is meant to give some breather to the economy and at the same time observing the social distancing and also trying to make sure that nothing of that relaxation will bring back densification of people that may spread the pandemic further.”
He adds that the socio-economic relief provided by the government is not sustainable over the long term.
“The key question will be those who may be getting used to [increased SASSA grants] at a time when unemployment and economic disruption may be taking its toll: Will they accept that it will come to an end.”