How about that state of the nation address last week, huh?

From who wore it best, to consistent systemic failures - Hurricane GNU has left South Africans concerned about the upcoming ’family meeting’ - The 2026 Budget Speech.

Nail-biting, isn’t it? The future of South Africa is uncertain, so you might have questions like:

• Should I cancel Netflix, Showmax or Disney?
• What new tax law will give me sleepless nights?
• Will I make it out with all my fingers and toes in the 2026 financial year?

Let’s break it down - how will you survive the South African Hunger Games in 2026?

Don’t get it twisted: The Speeches vs. The Outcomes

You know these bigwigs- they make even bigger promises!

Like a broken record, the concerns surrounding service delivery failures were raised.

Water, electricity and municipality failures

There is no silver bullet to address this challenge ... we must act swiftly and effectively said President Cyril Ramaphosa

Hold tight: According to Africa Check, in 2025 only 2 of the 6 major commitments were delivered - the launch of the electronic travel authorisation system (implemented for some countries) and a new national strategy to 'accelerate action for children'.

Let’s not put all our eggs in one basket

Our suggestion? Take it all with a pinch of salt - never make decisions based on promises, keep up with the government, see how these speeches take shape.

Expect Support in Principle, Not in Practice

“This year, we will provide more than R2.5 billion in funding to over 180,000 small and medium enterprises, and extend a further R1 billion in guarantee”

Love this claim! Not only is the government recognising the needs of the small business sector, but it is also making tangible promises: 2.5 billion for 180k SMMEs. To add: there will be adjustments to the business licensing bill that will “make it easier, not harder, to start and run a small business” and make credit more accessible (at a lower cost).

In theory - what exciting news!

But trust and consistency go hand in hand - good news has been announced every single year at the SONA. Small businesses are seen as the backbone of the country, so how much support will be given to the support? The lesson here is simple: build resilience internally, not in anticipation of external relief.

Infrastructure is your inkinga

Does your business need:

• Electricity?⚡
• Water? 💧
• Connectivity?🔌
• Logistics? 🚚

(it's like I am asking you if breathe air 😄)

Now more than ever, you have to be your own backup. It’s time to create your own business ecosystem and take care of your infrastructure:

• Generators, inverters
• backup systems
• alternative suppliers
• Redundant processes

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Here’s what to take away immediately: Keep Your Business Legally Boring.

Now this is the part where you take notes - legislation change announcements. In anticipation of the budget speech, keep a book and pen handy for the following tax, audit and accounting adjustments:

The expert opinions

• Policy adjustments - fine-tuning of brackets, allowances or special incentives aimed at supporting growth sectors (Deloitte)
• Expansion of tax breaks for R&D, capital equipment, energy efficiency and digital shifts, intended to unlock private investment at a time of slow GDP growth.
• Emphasis on improved SARS collections and reduced tax leakage via better compliance mechanisms.

Setting you apart from the rest - practising resilience

At this point, resilience is less a motivational slogan and more a personal operating system. The SONA may set intentions. The Budget Speech may claim numbers. But as history has shown us, we have to take these predictions with a pinch of salt!

Not all these outcomes are going to be fair, instant or even effecient. It’s time to choose progress, not stagnation. Regardless of what is announced, resilience is grounding yourself in what you can control: Your mindset, planning and compliance.

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