By Zuko Komisa
R8 million has been budgeted for the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
On Tuesday, Xolile George, the secretary to parliament, announced that around R 8 million has been set aside for the State of the Nation Address and made assurances that parliament would make every effort to reduce costs.
Over 650 members of the media have been accredited to cover the State of the Nation Address on Thursday.
The government announced on Monday that The Cape Town City Hall will temporarily declare a Parliamentary precinct to facilitate the hosting of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, 9 February, and the Budget Speech on Wednesday, 22 February 2023.
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On the cost of the event
George says there’s a lot that goes into putting together an event of this scale and magnitude, and a number of logistical measures need to be put in place.
“On the issue of the budget for the Sona, we have budgeted around R8m for the delivery of the Sona and that takes into account a number of logistics that are related to putting together an event of this magnitude and scale.
“But consistent with the challenges our country is facing on the fiscus, every measure is taken to minimise the issue of costs related to this,”
“As we know every year it willl grow minimally. said George.
He also mentioned that work has started for the reconstruction of the parliament.
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