Performing the state: continuity and change in Ramaphosa’s discursive construction of nationhood (2018–2025)

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is an annual speech delivered by the President of South Africa to outline the government’s policy direction, priorities, and implementation plans. While these addresses typically receive media and political attention, particularly in the form of parliamentary debate, little scholarly focus has been placed on the micro-linguistic and rhetorical dimensions of the speeches themselves. This paper conducts a comparative thematic analysis of the 2018 and 2025 SONAs using a combination of concordance analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The analysis aims to uncover how language functions not only as a vehicle of communication but also as a tool for constructing political identities, legitimising power, and shaping public perception. The article argues that CDA provides valuable insights into evolving government styles, national identity construction, and shifting power dynamics. By attending to linguistic patterns, lexical choices, and rhetorical devices, the study highlights how political discourse adapts over time. Moreover, the paper explores how silences, omissions, and implicit messaging within the SONAs contribute to broader political narratives and rhetorical strategy. In doing so, the study demonstrates the critical role of discourse in mediating the relationship between the government and its fellow citizens.