NATIONAL NEWS - President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver his first State of the Nation address following the sixth general elections on Thursday 20 June 2019 at 19:00.
The State of the Nation Address is divided into three parts:
The first is the ceremony where the Civil Guard of Honour welcomes the President and his guests as they walk along the red carpet; the second is the state ceremonial, which includes a 21-gun salute and the South African Air Force flypast and finally the official address by the President.
1. What is the State of the Nation Address?
The State of the Nation Address is an important annual event in the calendar of Parliament where the President makes a speech to a a joing sitting of the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
The State of the Nation Address is one of the rare moments whereby all three Arms of the State meet in one place.
2. When is SONA taking place?
20 June at 19:00.
3. Where to watch SONA?
Different media outlets will be streaming and airing SONA both online and on DStv.
The State of the Nation Address will be broadcast live on DStv Channel 408, SABC TV, eNCA, SABC radio stations and Parliament’s YouTube Channel.
4. What happens during the State of the Nation Address?
- The President sets out the government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year ahead;
- It highlights the achievements and challenges experienced over the past year and maps the year ahead;
- It covers wide-ranging political, economic and social matters and considers the general state of South Africa;
- It deliberates on South Africa’s domestic affairs as well as its continental and international relations;
- The full address is recorded in the Minutes of Proceedings.
5. What happens after SONA?
SONA marks the opening of parliament and political parties will gather and get an opportunity to debate, comment and raise questions on matters addressed in the President’s speech during a debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address.
This debate will likely take place over two days in a joint sitting next week.
