It’s all systems go for the 2023 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS
the Presiding Officers, led by National Assembly Speaker,
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and National Council of Provinces Chairperson, Amos
Masondo, held a media briefing on Tuesday on the preparations for this year’s
SONA.
This year’s SONA, as last year, will be held at the Cape
town City Hall, following the devastating fire at Parliament in 2022
The City has handed over the City Hall to Parliament since the
1st of February
This year’s theme “Following up on our commitments to the
people: Making your future work better.
Similar to last year, this year’s proceedings of SONA 2023
will follow the full ceremony format.
Activities
undertaken and observed during a full ceremony include the Flame Guard, the
21-gun salute, an aircraft flypast, the lining of the route, the Ceremonial
Guard, the Salute of the Step Guard, the singing of the National Anthem, the
full Military Band and the ceremonial processions of the Provincial Speakers,
Premiers, the Judiciary, the Deputy President and the President.
The President will take a salute at the
platform prepared in front of the statue of uTata Madiba, which is on the
balcony of the City Hall, where he will observe the singing of the National
anthem by the South African National Defence Force military band, synchronised
with the 21-gun salute and flypast.
The
role of the imbongi in the SONA programme has been an important feature of this
key state event since 1994 and remains crucial to the celebration of our cu ltural
diversity and social cohesion. Imbongi is selected in conjunction with the
provincial legislatures and the language in which the praise song is rendered
is determined on rotational basis to ensure all languages are afforded equal
primacy. For this SONA, a isiZulu praise
singer, Mr Msawenkosi Duma, from KwaZulu-Natal will usher the President into
the Chamber.
Approximately 490 Members of Parliament, 10 including
representatives of Salga, and 263 guests will will be in attendance at this
year’s SONA
ATTENDANCE
OF DIGNITARIES:
The
following dignitaries have confirmed attendance of the SONA:
• Former President Thabo Mbeki
• Former Speaker of the National Assembly
Baleka Mbete
• Chief Justice Zondo, Deputy Chief
Justice Maya and the 15 Judges
• Pan African Parliament President, H.E.
Senator Chief Fortune Charumbira
• Speaker of Azerbaijan, Hon Sahiba
Gafarova, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement
Parliamentary Forum
• Chairperson of the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association, The Rt Hon Hara
• Mayor of Cape Town, Mr Geordin
Hill-Lewis
One of
the defining features of our normalisation of operations following the Covid-19
pandemic is the 263 guests expected this year, inclusive of special
dignitaries. The confirmed guests include:
• 10 netball captains of the different
countries gathered here in Cape Town for the World Cup. They are representing
Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South
Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies)
• The Chairperson of the Netball World Cup
Board, the President of the Netball South Africa, the Head Coach of Netball
South Africa and the team’s Captain will be our special guests.
We
wish all the teams a memorable world cup competition in South Africa, and our
team success in showcasing South Africa as a winning nation.
• The President and the Chairman of
Cricket South Africa will be here.
• An invitation to the Head Coach and
Captain of Banyana-Banyana have also been extended as an opportunity to honour
the current Confederation of African Football women’s champions. However due to
their obligations at the FIFA Women’s World Cup they are unable to be with us.
Parliament wishes them well in this competition.
Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, Sylvia Lucas, says this
year Sona will be back with pomp and ceremony after the COVID-19 lockdown was
lifted.Mapisa-Nqakula says Parliament are aware of planned marches and protests
on the day of SONA.
Peaceful
protests are a feature of our constitutional democracy and a means to express
views on SONA. Appropriate arrangements will be made to receive memoranda where
required.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli,
says disrupting the day’s proceedings will not be tolerated
The national assembly speaker says arrangements has been
made for those who trades in the area
Parliament
has engaged and reached agreement with all stakeholders, including the Parade
Traders, with a view to minimise the temporary disruption of business due to
the declaration of the City Hall as a Parliamentary precinct.
Alternative
trading sites have been provided in Harrington Square, Heritage Square and The
Company Gardens during this period. Once again we appreciate the ongoing
cooperation and understanding from the representatives of this business
community.
Now its been a year since the fire incident that damaged
certain sections of the buildings of Parliament.
Giving an update on reconstructing Parliament,and Mapisa-Nqakula says the details of the
project, which will be announced by next week.
With
the provision of about R2 Billion by the Finance Minister during the Medium
Term Budget Policy Statement last year, Parliament together with other
stakeholders are finalising the details of the reconstruction project, which
will be announced by the Secretary to Parliament in due course.
Despite Eskom saying Stage 3 and 4 load shedding will
remain until further notice, secretary
to Parliament Xolile George is singing a different tune.
Parliament announced that they have budgeted R8 million for
this year’s SONA
Parliaments spokesperson, Moloto mothapo said that
eventhough they budgeted R8 million, it does not mean that all this money will
be used.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation
Address on Thursday, the 9 February at 7pm.
We can certainly state that it is all systems go for the 2023 State of the Nation Address.
PICTURE: @PresidencyZA
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