South Africa's Ramaphosa vows to tackle the nation's woes

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed his government will effectively tackle the country’s pressing problems of corruption, nationwide power cuts, high unemployment and the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

JOHANNESBURG -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed his government will effectively tackle the country's pressing problems of corruption, nationwide power cuts, high unemployment and the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are engaged in a battle for the soul of this country,” said Ramaphosa. “But there can be no doubt that we will win. I ask every South African to rally together in our fight against corruption, in our fight to create jobs, in our fight to achieve a more just and equal society.”

Ramaphosa delivered his State of the Nation address at Cape Town City Hall instead of at the Parliament building which was gutted by fire last month. It was the first time since South Africa's achievement of democracy in 1994 that the presidential address was delivered outside the 138-year-old Parliament building.

In recent weeks the nation has seen a return of disruptive cuts in electricity.