Pretoria - The Presidency says it does not have sufficient tickets to meet the demand of all the people who wish to attend the State of the Nation Address (SONA) this year.
The Presidency on Tuesday said Parliament gives the President 40 tickets for his use for SONA, which takes place on 11 February, in Cape Town.
“The Presidency uses 20 tickets to invite key stakeholders and people who will be mentioned in the SONA. The other 20 are utilised for the guests of the Deputy President.
“The Presidency is inundated by enquiries each year around this time, from members of the public and stakeholders who want to attend the SONA session,” said the Presidency.
The Presidency has, in previous years, organised an overflow viewing area at the President's Cape Town office, Tuynhuys, for stakeholders which included invitations to the SONA banquet which is hosted by Parliament.
“The Presidency will regrettably not be able to invite overflow guests this year due to the depressed economic climate,” said the Presidency.
The President calls the Joint Sitting of Parliament to deliver the State of the Nation Address in February each year. He attends the session as a guest of the Presiding Officers of Parliament. - SAnews.gov.za
