Who is the imbongi for this year's SONA?

Who is the imbongi for this year’s SONA?

Inako Mateza is performing at this year’s State of the Nation Address as an imbongi, or praise poet, to welcome the President.

SONA 2025. Image by Facebook/GovernmentZA

As the country awaits tonight’s 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), a 19-year-old imbongi, Inako Mateza, is preparing to take centre stage, embracing a role deeply rooted in tradition.

What will the President be discussing?

President Ramaphosa will deliver the annual State of the Nation Address on tonight, 6 February 2025, at 19:00. The event is taking place at the City Hall in Cape Town.

In the address, Ramaphosa will outline the government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead. He will also point out challenges and discuss interventions to unlock the country’s potential.

The President will also highlight the achievements of the government since the last SONA in 2024. Additionally, he will reflect on the progress made in implementing the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP).

Young imbongi ready to welcome the President

Tonight’s imbongi, Inako Mateza, is an esteemed Xhosa-speaking poet who has been honoured with one of the important elements of the SONA since the start of democracy. Mateza said she was ecstatic about being chosen to be the imbongi at this year’s SONA.

An imbongi is a poet who writes and recites praise poems, or izibongo, in honour of an important figure.

‘Being chosen as an imbongi to welcome the President in Parliament means a lot to me because firstly, I’m a young person who embraces culture and tradition at a time where young people are focused and celebrated for amapiano music. So, for me being the imbongi that will be welcoming President Cyril Ramaphosa makes me feel ecstatic,’ she said.

Inako Mateza. Source: Facebook/GovernmentZA

Mateza will be narrating the President’s personal history, clan, and family lineage through song, dance, and narration.

Who is Inako Mateza?

Mateza was born in Ludiza Village, Willowvale, in the Amathole District of the Eastern Cape. She founded the Inako Foundation, an initiative dedicated to preserving cultural heritage and educating over 400 young people about their cultures and traditions. She has been developing her craft as a praise poet since 2016.

After winning various competitions both provincially and nationally, she realised that she has the gift and the talent to pursue this. ‘I was born with a gift so it made sense for me to follow my calling,’ said Mateza.

She said that tonight’s performance at the SONA is an opportunity that will encourage her to continue the work that she is doing.