Pretoria – On the eve of the State of the Nation Address, excitement around the Parliamentary precinct - and the country - is mounting.
President Jacob Zuma will tomorrow at 7pm, deliver the address to the nation, as the Head of State.
It will be delivered at a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, customarily at the beginning of an annual session.
The proceedings will be broadcast live from Parliament from 5pm onwards, under the theme: “Following up on our commitments to the people”.
The State of the Nation Address is an opportunity for the President to set out government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead, as well as highlight the achievements and challenges experienced over the past year.
The SONA covers wide-ranging political, economic and social matters and considers the general state of South Africa. It deliberates on South Africa’s domestic affairs as well as its continental and international relations.
Before the President arrives at the National Assembly, there will be a number of ceremonial traditions that take place, including a 21-gun salute and a salute flight by the South African Air Force.
The SANDF’s military band is usually there to lend extra excitement to the occasion.
There will be civil guards of honour made up of ordinary South Africans, junior guards of honour who are drawn from schools around South Africa or eminent persons who are nominated by the Speaker of each Provincial Legislature – nominated on the basis of their contribution to society.
The Members of Parliament and invited guests will also brighten up the red carpet with their formal dresses and suits.
The address will be broadcast live on SABC radio stations, SABC TV, Parliament TV on DStv Channel 408 as well as various news platforms.
In the week following SONA, political parties will have an opportunity to debate, comment and raise questions on matters addressed in the President’s speech during a debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address.
This debate usually takes place over two days in a joint sitting. This year the debate is scheduled for 16 to 17 February.
The President will have the opportunity to reply to the debate on 18 February 2016.
This is followed by the Budget Speech, where the Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan will allocate the budget in line with the priorities outlined in the State of Nation Address.
Parliament conducts oversight to ensure that government delivers on the priorities set out in the State of the Nation Address and that allocated funds are spent accordingly. – SAnews.gov.za
