Pretoria – With just a few hours to go before President Jacob Zuma arrives at the steps of the National Assembly to deliver his State of the Nation Address, excitement around the Parliamentary precinct is mounting.
President Zuma will present the State of the Nation Address to a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament, the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces, at 7pm.
The address will be broadcast live on SABC radio and television stations, as well as at various live viewing sites across the country.
The stage has been set, the red carpet rolled out and guests have begun arriving.
Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, diplomats and other invited guests will also arrive to the red carpet soon - all expected to be dressed to the nines. It is yet to be seen what the biggest fashion trends will be for the day.
Since this morning, media crew have been broadcasting live from the area outside the National Assembly, while the parliamentary staff make final preparations to ensure the smooth running of today’s proceedings.
Preceding the address, South Africans will witness a national salute, music by a military band, an air-force flypast, and the traditional 21-gun salute. Thereafter the President will enter the National Assembly.
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said on Wednesday its security forces were also ready to secure the delivery of the 2017 SONA.
All departments within the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS), as well as other critical role players, have, in accordance with their mandates, been activated to mobilise the resources necessary to ensure that the SONA is delivered in a safe and secure environment.
NATJOINTS guarantees the people of South Africa that the security deployment, led by the South African Police Service, will execute their mandate without fear or favour in a coordinated and professional manner. – SAnews.gov.za
