National Assembly speaker Thoko Didiza says parliament is ready to host the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) which will be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Cape Town City Hall on Thursday evening.
Didiza said SONA is convened as a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, and it formally opens the parliamentary programme for the year.
The speaker was briefing the media in Cape Town, where she outlined parliament’s state of readiness for the occasion.
She emphasised that the address is more than ceremonial, as it provides the president with the opportunity to reflect on progress made and set out government’s priorities for the year ahead.
“It is the moment when the President accounts to the nation on progress made, outlines priorities for the year ahead, and presents government’s programme of action.
These commitments then become the benchmarks against which Parliament measures executive performance through committee oversight, debates and legislative processes during the year,” said Didiza.
The speaker also revealed that the SONA budget is approximately R7 million, when compared to R12.3m that spent for the 2025 sitting.
About 490 Members of Parliament, including representatives of the South African Local Government Association, will be accommodated in the chamber, with guests seated in the public gallery.
Following the Address, Parliament will host a two-day joint debate by Members of both Houses on the 17th and 18th of February.
“The President’s reply to the debate, on 19th February, will conclude this phase of the SONA programme.
