Numbers, Nuance, and Nerding Out: Fact-Checking the State of the Nation Address
The state of the nation address sets the country’s priorities—but how accurate is it? Africa Check’s Kirsten Cosser and Keegan Leech pull back the curtain on fact-checking the SONA on speech night.
Spoiler alert: it looks like the ‘nerdiest party ever’ fuelled by pizza, stats and official reports.
They share practical tips to help you follow along: how to spot cherry-picked numbers, decode vague terms like ‘housing opportunities’ and track promises across years. Tune in for a sharp look at how accountability works in real time.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this episode are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect those of Africa Check, Behind the Facts, its staff or affiliated groups.
Resources
[BLOG] How to ‘pre-bunk’ a state of the nation address (and almost anything else)
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Special thanks to
This episode was produced by the Africa Check team: Khumo Motaung and Laura Kapelari. Your host for this episode is Thipe Maelane, also from Africa Check.
Africa Check, the continent’s leading organisation promoting information integrity, helps you separate fact from fiction.
