The presiding officers of parliament has sought to assure the nation that it’s all systems go for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday at the Cape Town City Hall.
This will be Ramaphosa’s first SONA under the Government of National Unity (GNU), and he’s expected to outline government’s key plans and programmes of the year ahead.
“The SONA allows the President, as Head of State, to speak to the nation and reflect on a wide range of matters of national importance as well as outline the progress on the commitments of the state.
As such, SONA signifies the highest level of the state’s accountability to the citizens by providing updates on the government’s programmes, developments in legislation and policies, profiling targets and a programme of action for the new financial year,” said the speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, during a media briefing in Cape Town.
This year’s address will be hosted under the theme of “Harnessing Parliamentary Diplomacy for Realization of Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.”
In addition, Didiza said SONA proceedings will retain a full ceremonial format, including a 21-gun salute, an aircraft fly-past, a ceremonial guard, the singing of the national anthem, a full military band, and processions involving provincial Speakers, Premiers, the judiciary, the Deputy President, and the President.
This despite a request by some political parties for parliament to scale down on the ceremony, in honour of the 14 SANDF soldiers killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We do note that there has been a request by some parties that maybe the defence need to relook as to how those ceremonial proceedings, by the defence force, need to take into consideration the situation of our fallen soldiers in the DRC.
That’s the matter which we have forwarded as parliament to the defence force to reflect on it as this is their responsibility,” explained Didiza.
Meanwhile, R6 million has been budgeted for the ceremony, and nearly 2000 guests from various sectors, civil society, academia, traditional, religious, and cultural groups, are expected to attend the SONA.
“We always make budget provision for SONA.
Last year we budgeted for R6 million, we have equally budgeted for R6 million this year for provision of SONA.
As you would know, the delivery is at the City Hall there after the debates and replies will be in the Dome,” explained Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George.
