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Nearly 2 000 guests from various sectors are expected to flock to Cape Town to attend tomorrow’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), during which President Cyril Ramaphosa will take the nation into his confidence.
These guests represent civil society, academia, as well as traditional, religious and cultural groups.
“Public participation has always been a cornerstone of SONA, and this tradition will continue,” National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza said on Wednesday.
Didiza and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, were addressing a media briefing on Parliament’s preparations for the 2025 SONA.
The President will deliver the SONA to the nation at 7pm on Thursday night.
Didiza described SONA as a significant event in the country’s national calendar and crucial for shaping national discourse and establishing the tone for the year ahead.
During this event, the Head of State will reflect on various important national issues and outline the progress made on government’s commitments.
“As such, SONA signifies the highest level of the State’s accountability to the citizens by providing updates on government’s programmes, developments in legislation and policies, profiling targets and a programme of action for the new financial year.”
According to Didiza, the R6 million event, set to take place at the Cape Town City Hall, is the result of months of careful preparation and coordination.
Some of the dignitaries expected to attend include former Presidents and Deputy Presidents of the Republic, former Speakers of the National Assembly, former Chairpersons of the National Council of Provinces, former Deputy Speakers of the National Assembly, the Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, the Queen of the Bapedi nation, and a member of the European Union who serves as the Chairperson of the delegation for relations with South Africa.
It has been confirmed that former Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma will also attend.
To promote civic awareness and public engagement, Didiza announced that SONA will include a Junior Guard of Honour.
This group will consist of 100 learners from four schools in the Western Cape, selected in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Education.
“The involvement of young learners is crucial in educating and exposing them to the workings, roles, and functions of state institutions, helping to shape them as the leaders of tomorrow,” Didiza said.
The event will also include a performance by the Wynberg Girls’ High School band alongside the official Parliament Choir.
Tomorrow’s SONA will be followed by a two-day debate, with a reply from the President hosted at the Dome in the Nieuwmeester Parking Site.
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The SONA proceedings will follow a full ceremonial format. This will include a 21-gun salute, an aircraft fly-past, a ceremonial guard, the singing of the national anthem, a full military band, and processions featuring provincial Speakers, Premiers, the judiciary, the Deputy President, and the President.
Didiza clarified the difference between the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA) that occurred last year, marking the beginning of the seventh administration.
“OPA occurs once every five years, after general elections, to announce medium and long-term plans. SONA is an annual address that specifies short-term priorities and provides insights on the progress of the long-term targets.”
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