Pretoria – It’s all systems go in Cape Town as Parliament says it is ready to host the 2013 edition of the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 14 February.
The SONA will once again take place in the evening (7pm) to enable people to tune in to proceedings, which will be broadcast live on radio and television stations across the country.
“The ceremony is again a full ceremonial one involving a mounted police escort and a military ceremonial motor escort, the lining of the President’s route by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), a national salute by the Ceremonial Guard of the SANDF and a military band, a salute flight by the South African Air Force and a 21-gun salute,” Parliament said in a statement on Tuesday.
Proceedings also include civilian participation along the walk by the President, accompanied by Parliament’s Presiding Officers and the Secretary to Parliament, from the Slave Lodge to the saluting dais in front of the National Assembly building.
A praise singer, Mahlola April Moloi from the Free State, will greet the President as he enters the National Assembly Chamber.
Since the dawn of democracy in 1994, the SONA has become a celebration and public participation was added to the ceremonial activities. This is former President Nelson Mandela’s legacy to the SONA proceedings.
“Members of the public take part in the ceremony through a Junior Guard of Honour (comprising high school learners), a Civil Guard of Honour (comprising representatives of civil society organisations) and Eminent Persons (nominated by Provincial Speakers from the nine provinces),” Parliament said.
Parliament’s theme for this year’s SONA is “Socio-economic development through oversight and public participation”.
The SONA is an opportunity for the President to assess the country’s domestic and foreign situation, and to set out the direction that Parliament should take to improve efforts to achieve a better life for all.
Guests attending this year’s SONA include members of the public who took part in a radio campaign run on nine SABC radio stations; members of the public whose names were selected in a random draw, and the top matriculants for 2012 - one per province.
Six of the nine are girls. Unfortunately, some of the nine cannot attend because of study commitments.
The SONA will be streamed live on Parliament’s website and broadcast live on radio and television and the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has arranged for its broadcast on big screens at a variety of venues in all provinces. - SAnews.gov.za
