Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has arrived at the National Assembly where he will deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament since he was re-elected in May 2014.
Accompanied by First Lady Sizakele MaKhumalo Zuma, along with the Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete, the President stood on the steps of the National Assembly for the national salute, the air-force flypast and the traditional 21-gun salute.
He looked dapper as he arrived to Parliament, wearing a formal black suit and red tie. First Lady MaKhumalo was wearing a navy blue skirt suit, with silver and gold detail.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa had also arrived to the Parliamentary precinct earlier.
The State of the Nation Address will set the tone for government’s work in the year ahead. President Zuma is expected to provide an update on the implementation of Government's Programme of Action based on the National Development Plan (NDP). The 2017 SONA will also be delivered within the context of the current strides government is making to respond to the various challenges the country is facing.
The 2017 SONA will be followed by a debate in the National Assembly and the President’s reply to the debate next week. – SAnews.gov.za
