Parliament, Wednesday, 7 February 2024 – The Presiding Officers of Parliament led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Amos Masondo, today expressed their satisfaction with Parliament’s readiness to host the State of the Nation Address (SONA) tomorrow, 8 February at Cape Town City Hall.
Accompanied by the Secretary to Parliament, Mr Xolile George, and some Ministers from the security cluster, the Presiding Officers this afternoon had a walkabout to gauge the infrastructural readiness and other preparations at City Hall. This will be the third year that Parliament hosts SONA at this venue, after the January 2022 fire that damaged parts of the Old Assembly and the National Assembly buildings.
The Cape Town City Hall was declared a Parliamentary precinct from 1 February until the Finance Minister delivered the Budget Speech. All rules that apply to a Parliamentary precinct then became effective.
Said the Presiding Officers: “This afternoon we met the organising team and received briefings on the final arrangements for SONA 2024. We also had an inspection in loco to establish the state of readiness to host the State of the Nation Address that President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to deliver tomorrow evening. We are absolutely happy with all the work and demonstrated the meticulous planning that went into this major event.”
The Presiding Officers again stressed that their commitment to ensuring a successful SONA is deeply rooted in the desire to uphold the dignity of this significant national event. This will be the last SONA hosted by the sixth Parliament.
Meanwhile, guests and accredited media representatives who will cover the 2024 State of the Nation Address are urged to collect their accreditation tags at No 49 Hope Street (Government Garage), Cape Town.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- The accreditation is set to open at 8:30 am and will close strictly at 14:00.
- Media and guests should collect their accreditation in person and present their identification documents (identity document/passport) for the collection of accreditation tags and sign upon receipt of the tags.
- Only accredited media in possession of accreditation tags will have access to the Cape Town City Hall precinct on Thursday, 8 February 2024.
- All guests, including Members of Parliament as well as accredited media will enter City Hall precinct through the Darling Street entrance.
- A final briefing on SONA 2024 arrangements will take Thursday, 13:00 at the Media Centre marque located at the Grand Parade.
- Members of the media who have not been allocated media bay tickets will be able to follow all proceedings from the media centre, situated adjacent to the Hall.
FOR ENQUIRIES RELATED TO MEDIA ACCREDITATION & INTERVIEWS, PLEASE CONTACT:
- Masego Dlula – 081 715 9398
- Malentsoe Magwagwa – 081 716 5824
- Khuthala Noah – 063 503 2946
FOR FACILITATION OF MEDIA INTERVIEWS:
- Manelisi Ntsodo – 081 716 2021
- Mlindi Mpindi – 081 716 7329
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
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