Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will today host a High Tea ceremony with some of his State of the Nation Address (SONA) special guests at his Genadendal Residence in Cape Town.
The Presidency on Wednesday said the President invites the special guests on the eve of SONA every year to acknowledge the good work that they have done and continue to do in the development and promotion of the country and its people, as well as the sacrifices they have made during the struggle for liberation.
The guests list includes the family of the struggle stalwart, Oliver Reginald Tambo, who is South Africa’s foremost diplomat and late President of the governing party, African National Congress.
This year marks the commemoration of the centenary of the birth of Tambo, who is celebrated worldwide as one of the distinguished pioneers of the democratic South Africa.
Umkhonto WeSizwe (MK) struggle veteran and former Member of Parliament, General Ike Maphoto, will also be amongst the guests as well as the KwaZulu-Natal medical nurse, Primrose Goge, who was presented with a Recognition Certificate for detecting an abnormal occurrence in the fetus that ultimately spared the life of an unborn child.
The family of the late South Africa’s internationally acclaimed musician, Mama Africa Dr Miriam Makeba, as well as the family of women rights activists and struggle veteran Mama Dora Tamana will also be amongst the guests.
Other guests include Female Entrepreneur of the Year (Agriculture, Forestry and Farming) winner, Venecia Janse; the Founder of The Lazy Makoti (a cooking, retail and culinary school start-up), Mogau Seshoene, and the Executive Director of the Albinism Society of South Africa and Commissioner in the Commission for Gender Equality, Nomasonto Mazibuko.
“We are looking forward to host and acknowledge these distinguished individuals and their families for their immense contribution in the struggle for liberation and the development of our country.
“The opening of Parliament and the State of the Nation Address is a very important event for our country as it reminds us of our history and the long journey that of our country has taken to ensure a better life for all,” said President Zuma.
Preparations are almost complete for what is known as the most inclusive day in the political and parliamentary calendar, the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament.
President Zuma is set to present his State of the Nation Address, on Thursday evening, at 19:00. - SAnews.gov.za
