The eyes of the nation are on President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has arrived on the steps of the National Assembly in Parliament to deliver his first State of the Nation Address.
He has made the historic journey towards Parliament following in the footsteps of South Africa’s previous democratically elected leaders. He is dressed in a navy blue suit and purple tie, with the Coat of Arms pin on his lapel, he is accompanied by his wife, Dr Tshepo Motsepe-Ramaphosa, who looked smart in a gold and black ensemble.
He will now join the Joint Sitting of Parliament to deliver his first speech as President of the Republic, which will be broadcast live on news channels SABC, radio stations and livestreamed.
The mood in the House has been jovial with Members of Parliament singing ahead of his arrival.
President Ramaphosa was escorted to Parliament by a mounted police escort and the military ceremonial motor escort.
At the steps of the National Assembly, he stood on a podium alongside National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Thandi Modise and observed a national salute, a fly-past and a 21-gun salute.
The 2018 SONA follows recent political developments that saw a seamless transition in the Office of the President to President Ramaphosa.
The President is expected to provide an update on the implementation of the Programme of Action based on the National Development Plan (NDP). The 2018 SONA will also be delivered within the context of the current strides made by government to respond to the various challenges facing the country.
The address will be followed by a debate in the National Assembly on 19 February 2018 and the President’s reply to the debate the next day. – SAnews.gov.za
