Cape Town - Parliament is abuzz with activity this afternoon, with makeshift broadcast studios being erected and sniffer dogs being led into entering vehicles to ensure security ahead of the opening on Thursday.
A red carpet is expected to be laid soon where President Jacob Zuma will tomorrow evening lead the procession up from the Slave Lodge to the steps of the National Assembly.
The President is expected to deliver his State of the Nation Address at 7pm.
Members of Parliament and a few ministers were seen coming in and out of the National Assembly with other dignitaries also there to ensure their accreditation was in order ahead of the day.
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who was seen leaving Zuma's official office, Tuynhuys, said she was pleased with the final preparations ahead of the opening.
"I am quite happy and I am sure we will deliver on our mandate tomorrow. Yes, we get better with time every year. We always try to do things better and this year is no different," she told BuaNews.
She said the Presidency had decided that the State of the Nation Address be delivered once again at night in a bid to reach a wider audience. Sisulu said while the arrangement initially posed some challenges for the South African National Defence Force - it had its advantages.
"We have learned to adjust with the new arrangement because the truth is in the evening a lot of people are able to get the message of the President and we are equally ready to do our best on the day," added Sisulu.
The event is one of the biggest on the South African government's calendar and will be broadcast live on all major television channels. Last year, both the SABC and etv reported record viewing figures, with some citizens saying they watched the address for the first time.
"It's one of the biggest projects one gets to work on and with time and technology, things seem to be getting easier and exciting," commented Kimball Thurtell, who has worked on the State of the Nation Address for the SABC for the past 36 years.
He is one of many workers who have been hard at work at the Parliamentary precinct this week to ensure that those at home are able to view and hear every minute of the President's speech.
