STAFF REPORTER|
PARLIAMENT has finalised preparations for the much-awaited State of the Nation on Thursday.
This after presiding officers received a final briefing about Parliament’s preparations to host the 2021 SONA from the institution’s SONA Project Team.
“We are confident that all will proceed smoothly tomorrow for the hosting of the first ever Hybrid State of the Nation Address,” Parliament said in a statement.
Tomorrow’s address to the two houses of parliament by President Cyril Ramaphosa takes place on the 31st anniversary of former President Nelson Mandela’s release from prison.
That Sunday in 1990 was a watershed in the country’s struggle for a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist South Africa, founded on supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law, Parliament said.
“The 2021 SONA, scheduled for 7pm, comes at time of great anxiety and hardship, as South Africa and the world fights the deadly COVID-19. The address is an opportunity for the President to speak to the nation about a variety of domestic and global issues. It’s also an opportunity to update the nation on progress with government’s existing commitments and key plans for the year ahead,” it said.
“Measures are in place to ensure wide public access to the SONA, while observing necessary COVID-19 protocols.”
The sitting will be hybrid, with limited numbers of Members of Parliament, distinguished guests and media in the National Assembly chamber and others linking up through virtual platforms.
A total of 30 Members of Parliament representing the two Houses of Parliament from various parliamentary political parties will be physically in the NA Chamber.
They are from the ANC (14), DA (5), IFP (1), FF+ (1), ACDP (1), GOOD (1), Cope (1), NFP (1), ATM (1), AIC (1) and Aljamah-ah (1).
The President will also be in the national assembly chamber when he delivers the address.
Also present in the NA Chamber will be Deputy President David Mabuza.
Invited guests include former Presidents and Deputy Presidents of South Africa, former Presiding Officers of the Parliament of South Africa, the diplomatic corps, the Pan African Parliament President, the President of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, guests of the President, representatives of civil society, faith-based, statutory and constitutional institutions.
Former President Mr Thabo Mbeki, former Deputy President Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former National Assembly Speaker Ms Baleka Mbete and former National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chairperson Mr Mninwa Mahlangu have all registered for the webinar.
Parliament’s theme for this address remains: “Following up on our commitments – making your future work better.”
“This highlights our character as a people’s Parliament, committed to strengthening transparency, accountability and responsiveness to the needs of the people – to ensure a truly non-racial, non-sexist and thriving South Africa,” said Parliament.
“Preceding the President’s delivery of the SONA will be a candle lighting ceremony, led by the President of the Republic and the Presiding Officers of Parliament. The ceremony is being held in honour and remembrance of South Africans who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Part of this solemn ceremony will be rendition of a poem by talented poet, singer and film producer, Siphokazi Jonas from the Eastern Cape.
She has featured at numerous poetry sessions and festivals around the country and has performed with renowned musicians, including Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Freshlyground, Pops Mohamed, Dizu Plaatjies and Dave Reynolds. Her poem will be in a recorded form.
(Source: INSIDE POLITICS)