Parliament said it's ready to host the 2025 State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Thursday.
In a briefing, Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza said the Sona is a crucial event on the national calendar that required months of meticulous planning.
“This is a joint seating of all the houses of Parliament with one agenda - the State of the Nation Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa,” she said.
The Sona allows the President, as Head of State, to speak to the nation and reflect on a wide range of matters of national importance as well as outline the progress on the commitments of the state
To clarify, Didiza also said it was important to explain that the Opening of Parliament, which was held in July 2024, is an event that takes place every five years, after general elections, to announce medium and long-term plans.
The Sona takes place annually, addressing short-term priorities and providing insights on the progress of the long-term targets.
The 2025 Sona will be hosted under the theme of ‘Harnessing Parliamentary Diplomacy for Realisation of Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’.
Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George spoke on the costs.
“We always make budget provisions for Sona. Last year, we budgeted for R6 million. This year we provisioned R6 million for Sona,” he said.
The Sona, which will be taking place at the Cape Town City Hall, has been the designated parliamentary precinct since the National Assembly building fire on January 1, 2022.
“Sona proceedings will retain a full ceremonial format, including a 21-gun salute, an aircraft fly-past, a ceremonial guard, the singing of the national anthem, a full military band, and processions involving provincial Speakers, Premiers, the judiciary, the Deputy President, and the President,” Didiza said.
Almost 2,000 guests from various sectors such as civil society, academia, traditional, religious, and cultural groups, are expected to attend the Sona.
Dignitaries in attendance include former presidents, former deputy presidents, former speakers of the National Assembly, former chairpersons of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, Queen of the Bapedi Nation and members of the European Union and chairperson of the Delegation for Relations with South Africa.
“As part of fostering civic awareness and public engagement, the SONA event will feature the Junior Guard of Honour, comprising 100 learners from four Western Cape schools, selected in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED),” Didiza said.
The Wynberg Girls' High School band alongside the official Parliament Choir will also be performing.
Chairperson for the NCOP, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane said the proceedings of this Sona will once again include praise singing by the imbongi.
An imbongi or a Xhosa praise poet, is a member of the Xhosa community who performs ceremonial activities at important events.
“We are pleased to announce that this year, isiXhosa praise singer Ms.Inako Mateza, from the Eastern Cape, has been selected to render the praise singing at the Sona. She is a 19-year-old award-winning Xhosa poet, cultural ambassador, and community activist, renowned for her storytelling and leadership in youth empowerment,” Mtshweni-Tsipane said.
She further stated all members of Parliament were urged to wear clothing produced in South Africa to support the local fashion industry.
“The campaign, ‘Wear Local at Sona’, aims to elevate the local fashion industry calling on the nation’s leaders to showcase South African designed and manufactured fashion at the Sona,” Mtshweni-Tsipane said.
After the president delivers his address to the nation, the National Assembly and the NCOP will reconvene for a joint sitting on February 11 and 12 where the President’s address will be debated.
This will be followed by another sitting on February 13, where President Cyril Ramaphosa will reply to the debate.
The Budget Speech will take place on Wednesday, February 19.