If all goes according to plan, this year’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (Sona) – which comes with a R7 million price tag – will be the last one held in the City of Cape Town’s City Hall.

This is according to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, who, alongside her fellow Presiding Officers of Parliament, provided an update on Parliament’s preparations for Sona on Wednesday.

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 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.

She highlighted that Sona 2026 will be attended by 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.

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

“We do send an invitation to all those that are still with us, in terms of being alive, but we always get responses that come on time, some of them, there are changes at the last minute.

“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.

She said invited guests reflect the significance of Sona as both a national constitutional moment and an occasion of international parliamentary interest. Among other dignitaries, invited would also be members of society who work with parliament as well as the government on a number of issues.

The Secretary to Parliament, Xolile 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.

“The City Hall is not costing us 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.

Didiza had also mentioned that if all goes according to plan, this year will be the last year that Sona is held at the City Hall.

“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.”

Following the Address, Parliament will host a two-day joint debate on the 17th and 18th of February. The President’s reply to the debate, on 19th February, will conclude this phase of the SONA programme.

“The debates and the President’s reply will be held at the recently refurbished Dome, which has now been formally handed back to Parliament by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

“The Dome meets the operational standards required for parliamentary sittings and will serve as an important venue while the permanent parliamentary precinct continues to be restored,” Didiza said.

Didiza added that this year also includes milestones such as the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s Constitution, adopted in 1996. June 16 this year marks a significant milestone for the country, where they will be looking back at 50 years of the Soweto uprising.

In September 2026, Parliament will further host the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. The year will also see South Africans participate in the Local Government Elections.

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

Source link