Lerato Mbhiza
President Cyril Ramaphosa has written to the National Assembly speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and the National Council of Provinces chairperson (NCOP), Amos Masondo, requesting them to convene a joint sitting of the two Houses on Thursday, 8 February 2024, at 7pm for the State of the Nation Address (Sona).
The State of the Nation Address marks the official start of the parliamentary programme for the year ahead.
The President called the Joint Sitting of the Houses of Parliament to set out the government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead.
“During SONA, the President also highlights achievements, flags challenges and outlines interventions that the government will undertake to unlock development interventions for the coming financial year,” the Presidency said in a statement.
According to parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo, the second Sona has been scheduled after the elections and it will be held at the Cape Town City Hall.
The Sona marks the official start of the parliamentary programme for the year.
This occasion will be particularly momentous as South Africa celebrates the 30th anniversary of its democracy, commemorating three decades since the historic first democratic elections of 1994, said Mothapo.
“This landmark year symbolises the South African people’s triumph over centuries of colonialism and apartheid, marking a significant shift in the nation’s history.”
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