CDE executive director Ann Bernstein, speaking on SAfm’s National Pulse, called the state of the nation “worrying” and urged the president to use SONA 2025 for fundamental reforms rather than minor policy tweaks. While acknowledging progress at Transnet, Eskom, and Home Affairs, she criticised the GNU’s lack of clear policy direction, stating, “We are yet to get the promised programme of action.” Her remarks follow CDE’s latest media release, State of the Nation Address: GNU Must Accelerate Much-Needed Reform.