By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former president Jacob Zuma will attend the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall on 6 February.
This is the first SONA that Zuma has confirmed to attend after years of snubbing Parliament.
He will be among the three former heads of state, Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, who have also confirmed their attendance.
It will be held against the backdrop of last week’s Cabinet Lekgotla, which set out the government’s programme of action for the year as guided by the GNU’s Statement of Intent amid tensions within the coalition government over key legislation.
Ahead of Sona, MK Party parliamentary leader Jimmy Manyi said the party was preparing to present the true state of the nation, which would be grounded in thorough research and work done by its MPs. This presentation would be delivered a day before President Cyril Ramaphosa presented his address.
Launched on 16 December 2023, the MK party reshaped the country’s political landscape, garnering more than 4 million votes. This shift played a key role in the ANC receiving less than 50% of the vote for the first time since SA’s 1994 democratic elections, despite the MK party grappling with internal and organisational issues.
SONA will provide an opportunity to reflect on developments taking place across the country and set our country’s game plan for the year ahead.
During the 2025 SoNA, Ramaphosa will reflect on South Africa’s achievements over the past year. Notable achievements include a buoyant economy, growing optimism in our financial markets and a reduction in the unemployment rate to 32.1 percent in the third quarter of 2024, from 33.5 per cent in the second quarter. This signals a step forward, though we are mindful that much needs to be done. Consumer inflation is at a four-year low, and this has made essential goods like fuel and most food staples more affordable. The notable decrease in interest rates and fuel price over the past twelve months is another welcome development.
Fast facts
- The State of the Nation Address is divided into three parts. The first is the important public participation role in the ceremony when the Civil Guard of Honour welcomes the President and his guests as they walk along the red carpet. This is followed by a state ceremonial, which includes a 21-gun salute and the South African Air Force flypast and finally the official address by the President.
- Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) line the route that the President takes to Parliament.
- The Military Guard of Honour participates in the ceremony and the military band plays South Africa’s national anthem.
- In a general election year, two State of the Nation Addresses are delivered.
- The State of the Nation Address is one of the rare occasions where the three arms of State, namely the Executive represented by the President, Deputy President and Ministers; the Judiciary, represented by the country’s Chief Justice and the Judge Presidents; and the Legislature, represented by the Members of Parliament gather in one place.
- The provincial and local spheres of government are also represented.
Meanwhile several political parties want National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to reject a sponsored offer of food and alcohol for parliamentarians after next week’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Parliament has not held a post-SONA dinner since 2017 when former Speaker Baleka Mbete came under fire for hosting one in her private capacity.
Once a regular feature of the State of the Nation Address, Parliament canned its lavish dinners in the sixth administration in an effort to cut costs.
While it’s unclear who has offered to cater at this year’s event, several political parties who attended Thursday’s programme committee meeting were adamant that the offer should be rejected, in particular, the alcohol.