Kaya 959 News Reporter
Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula confirms that parliament is ready to host SONA on Thursday.
For the first time ever, parliament will be hosted outside of the parliament precinct.
The logistical challenges in organising the event came about because of the fire that happen in January.
This caused planning that usually happens months in advance to be changed in the eleventh hour.
The swift change in planning between parliament and the executive ensured that SONA will happen as scheduled.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation Address at the Cape Town City Hall.
Andre de Ruyter of Esokm announced to the City of Cape Town that the City Hall will not be affected by loads shedding on the day of SONA.
This was done after the power utility service announced that it would implement stage 2 load shedding on Monday evening, 7 February to Tuesday morning at 5 am.
Due to the pandemic, only 238 MPs will be seated in the chamber.
Only a limited number of representatives of other arms of State, spheres of government, dignitaries, and media will be allowed in the gallery.
All others will attend SONA in the usual hybrid manner through ICT technologies.
“The proportional representation of political parties was a key consideration in allocating seats to MPs. The National Assembly will be physically represented by 238 MPs, whilst the National Council of Provinces will have 75 delegates, including provincial Premiers and SALGA representatives”.
Colonel Athlenda Mathe of NATJOINTS announced that any disruptions or intentional contravening of the law will be dealt with accordingly within the ambit of the law.
The air space around the City Hall is also declared a no-flying zone and only the South African Air Force will have flexible use of the airspace during that time.
South Africans can tune in either on radio, television, or on the Parliament Youtube channel to listen to the State of the Nation Address, delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the Thursday.



