Cape Town – Preparations were well underway around the Parliament precinct on Wednesday, ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
President Jacob Zuma will deliver his speech, at 7pm, on Thursday, to a joint sitting of Parliament.
While Parliamentary officials were in meetings most of the day to finalise logistics around the hosting of the SONA, including the coordination of a large media contingent and guests, workers were busy erecting branding and laying flowers along Parliament Street.
Some of the workers employed by service providers said the decorations would be finalised on the day of the event.
Some media personnel have started erecting scaffolding in front of the National Assembly to position themselves to capture the entry of President Zuma when he walks up the red carpet, ahead of delivering his speech in the evening.
Temporary studios have already been set up by several broadcasters in front of Tuynhuys, the Presidential office, where Ministers, Members of Parliament, labour representatives and economists will be interviewed after the speech.
Rehearsals are due to begin at 5pm. – SAnews.gov.za
