Cyril Ramaphosa's R7m SONA: What to expect
All eyes will be on President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday night when he delivers the State of the Nation Address (Sona).
While MPs, diplomats and former presidents, including Jacob Zuma and Kgalema Motlanthe, will begin arriving at the Cape Town City Hall from this afternoon, Ramaphosa is expected to outline the government’s plans for the year and address some of the biggest challenges crippling SA in his R7m Sona.
The annual address officially opens Parliament and gives the country’s first citizen a national platform to set out what the government plans to do in the months ahead.
A tight security net has been thrown around the City Hall, with several surrounding roads closed and traffic officers posted around the area.
Pedestrian access around the precinct has also been limited.
The City of Cape Town’s traffic spokesperson, Kevin Jacobs, said Darling Street will be closed between Buitenkant and Tenant Street from 5.45pm to 7.30pm, and between Plein Street and Buitenkant Street from 4am until midnight.
Coronation Street between Caledon and Darling streets, as well as Longmarket Street between Plein and Buitenkant streets, will be closed for most of the day. For the full list of road closures and affected routes, click here.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Parliament’s Secretary, Xolile George, said this year’s Sona carries a price tag of R7,025,000.
“That covers all the broadcasting and all costs around ensuring that our ICT [information and communications technology] infrastructure is fit for purpose,” George said.
“The City Hall is not costing us a lot of money … the major cost drivers are broadcasting equipment and services related to that purpose.”
The address is being held at the City Hall after a fire gutted parts of the official parliamentary precinct in January 2022.
The blaze destroyed sections of the National Assembly chamber, forcing Parliament to relocate major sittings and national events.
Since then, key occasions such as Sona have been hosted at the historic City Hall.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza said that if all goes smoothly, this will be the last time the opening of Parliament is held at the Mother City landmark.
Didiza also said ex-President Thabo Mbeki will not be attending.
“We have received confirmation from Motlanthe, who has said he is coming,” she said.
“Zuma has said he is coming … Mbeki has apologised.”
Political parties, unions and civic organisations have laid out what they want to hear — and what they say can no longer be ignored.
Several opposition parties have called on Ramaphosa to prioritise crime, policing and economic reform.
Build One SA leader Mmusi Maimane said his primary concern was crime.
“The president can make many promises, including job creation,” Maimane said.
“What the president needs to do is to stabilise the police.
“There can be no economy if there is crime.”
DA spokesperson on Home Affairs Adrian Roos said his party expected the department to feature prominently in the address.
“The DA expects the Sona 2026 to reflect advances made by Home Affairs under minister Leon Schreiber in clearing long-standing visa and permit backlogs, cutting down illegal border crossing attempts, expanding visa schemes, and rolling out digital systems aimed at reducing red tape while strengthening security,” Roos said.
Cosatu’s Matthew Parks said: “Sona and government’s plans for the year must be anchored upon tackling our dangerously high unemployment rate of 42.4% and sluggish 1% economic growth, entrenched levels of poverty and inequality, and endemic crime and corruption.”
Lobby group Amandla.mobi called on Ramaphosa to prioritise the marginalised majority and restore their humanity and dignity by implementing a basic income grant.
“We hope your 2026 Sona will bring real solutions for the unaffordable cost of living,” the group said.
“Food is expensive.
“Month to month, millions in Mzansi cannot afford to buy healthy, nutritious food for themselves and their families.”
Parties will debate Sona on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by a reply from Ramaphosa the following day.
IOL