All set for last SONA at City Hall

NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has hinted at this year’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) as being the last to be delivered at the Cape Town City Hall. 

The hall has been made available for the gathering since a large section of Parliament was destroyed during a fire four years ago.

In its briefing last year, the Development Bank of Southern Africa indicated that the National Assembly was projected to be ready by November 2026, while the Old Assembly was set to be completed by December 2026, with practical completion planned for February 2027, a timeframe designed to ensure that the buildings are prepared for their intended use.

Briefing the media ahead of Thursday evening’s address by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Didiza said this year’s Sona - which comes with a R7 million price tag - will be the last one held in the City of Cape Town’s City Hall if all goes according to plan. 

“With respect to whether this would be the last time meeting in the City Hall, we hope in terms of our timelines for the (Parliament) reconstruction, then this will be the last time.

“But, me and you know, that sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances from the building industry, some of which relate to inclement weather that might cause delay,” Didiza said.

“But if everything goes according to plan, this is the last time we're having Sona in the City Hall. The office of the Minister of Finance has indicated to us that they will have the Budget presentation in the Dome.”

The costs associated with Parliament’s restoration ballooned from R2.2 billion in 2024 to an estimated R4.6 billion by November.

While not disclosing the exact figure, the Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, said said the he City Hall was not costing a lot of money.

“It's a small amount of money that we pay to the City, but the major cost drivers are broadcasting equipment and services related to that purpose,” George said.

The cost of the budget for this year’s Sona is R7,025,000, which is largely driven by the cost of hiring equipment.

“That covers all the broadcasting and all costs around ensuring that our ICT infrastructure is fit for purpose. And those are consistent drivers of the real cost.”

 A broad range of distinguished guests, including former presidents, former presiding officers, members of the judiciary, heads of institutions supporting democracy, traditional leadership structures, and representatives of local government and international partners has been invited to attend the gathering.

Didiza said that Sona remains the highest formal expression of executive accountability to Parliament and, through Parliament, to the people of South Africa.

“Convened as a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, Sona formally opens the parliamentary programme for the year and provides the anchor around which oversight, law-making, budget scrutiny and public participation are organised.

“It is the moment when the president accounts to the nation on progress made, outlines priorities for the year ahead, and presents the government’s programme of action. These commitments then become the benchmarks against which Parliament measures executive performance through committee oversight, debates and legislative processes during the year,” Didiza said.

When asked to share guest names, she said, “Some of them actually should be a surprise”.

“What we can say is that let's all wait for Thursday, but we have received confirmation from President Kgalema (Motlanthe), who has said he is coming. President (Jacob) Zuma has said he's coming. President (Thabo) Mbeki has apologised. So we will wait, and as soon as we know, maybe before tomorrow, we can appraise you. But if we don't, we all will be surprised by who comes,” Didiza said.

Cape Times