This year promises to be particularly interesting, as the State of the Nation Address will be delivered on the back of the announcement of the New Growth Path. Government aims to create five million new jobs in the next 10 years in the hopes of slashing the country’s 25 percent unemployment rate down to 15 percent.

Experts and ordinary citizens alike will be watching closely to see which industries have been earmarked to drive South Africa’s economic growth path.

Other key areas of interest South Africans will no doubt be looking for direction and clarity on from the President include government’s five priority areas, namely the economy, rural development, crime, health and education.

The address will be followed by a debate in the National Assembly and a series of media engagements by the ministers.

After the State of the Nation Address, the Minister of Finance will deliver his budget speech in Parliament on 23 February 2011.