NCCC Cyril Ramaphosa address the nation

President Cyril Ramaphosa will convene an NCCC meeting this weekend. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)

Live stream: When will Cyril Ramaphosa address the nation on Monday?

We go again: Cyril Ramaphosa is preparing to deliver his address to the nation regarding coronavirus on Monday, after it was postponed yesterday.

NCCC Cyril Ramaphosa address the nation

President Cyril Ramaphosa will convene an NCCC meeting this weekend. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)

When to tune in? After Cyril Ramaphosa postponed his planned state address ‘live stream’ on Sunday night, the president is set to deliver his speech at some point on Monday. He has an almost impossible task ahead of him, but the head of state has been buoyed by the support and solidarity South Africans have shown him:

“What we are witnessing is social solidarity in action, a defining feature of our nationhood. At times of crisis such as this one, it would be easy to surrender to the impulses of opportunism, greed and naked self-interest. Our success relies on the effort and energies of every citizen and their commitment to help and assist others.

“History bears witness to the dark side of human nature that can be exposed when fear and panic takes hold. But as the South African nation we are standing firm. This crisis will not debilitate our country. In how we have responded, we have affirmed the true character of our nationhood.”

Cyril Ramaphosa

Coronavirus in South Africa – latest news, updates and new cases

In Ramaphosa’s upcoming speech, we’re expecting to learn about some more stringent measures on social activity and leaving the house. Talk of a “lockdown” in Mzansi remains rife, but Ramaphosa and his team have been keen to play down these fears – even if there is now a SANDF presence on the streets.

As confirmed on Monday afternoon, SA now has over 400 coronavirus cases, following thousands of tests. Almost half of these patients are based in Gauteng, with the Western Cape hosting the next-largest amount of COVID-19-positive citizens.

Watch a live stream of Cyril Ramaphosa’s coronavirus address here:

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What time will Cyril Ramaphosa deliver his address to the nation on Monday 23 March?

After putting in a huge shift on Sunday, Ramaphosa ran out of time to address South Africans. After all, the measures he’s putting in place could make or break the country going forward. A live stream of the event was set to begin earlier – but it now looks like we’re heading into ‘late’ territory.

Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu has confirmed that the speech will take place “later this evening”, and promised to communicate an exact time with the public as soon as they have one. We’ve been told to expect lift-off around 19:30, but this could be delayed too.

“President Ramaphosa will address the nation this evening on coronavirus. At that stage, we will have finalized measures to be undertaken to mitigate impact of the virus to our people and the economy. During the day, we will inform the media and the nation of the exact time when the President will make the address.”

Jackson Mthembu