Speaker Thoko Didiza on the R7 million SONA budget: The significant reduction explained
Speaker of Parliament Thoko Didiza says the R7 million budget for the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) is justified and significantly lower than last year’s allocation, which was pushed up by unforeseen weather disruptions.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver the 2026 SONA on Thursday evening in Cape Town. IOL has previously reported that Parliament allocated just over R7 million for this year’s address — less than half of the R15.5 million budgeted for the 2025 event, during which approximately R12.3 million was ultimately spent.
Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Didiza rejected suggestions that the event amounts to an extravagant gathering.
“We can’t say it’s a R7 million party. The expenditure towards hosting events such as the State of the Nation Address is really about the essential physical infrastructure required for such hosting, particularly the spaces we create for you as the media to be able to interview — not only for yourselves, but also to inform the citizens about what is happening in Cape Town today.
“It is an important event on our calendar as a nation because that is where, as citizens, we listen to the president’s assessment of the state of our nation — what are the things that are aching the citizens that the government wants to respond to, but also what are the global factors that have an impact on us as a country.
“So the State of the Nation is not only looking at the national sphere, but also looks at the region, which we are part of on our continent. It looks globally, to which we are interconnected,” she said.
Didiza said costs have effectively halved compared to last year’s budget.
“If you look at the costs of last year, they were escalated because of the weather in Cape Town, particularly that affected the overflow tent where most of our guests sit to listen to the president. Immediately we had to make a decision and approach the ICC to assist us with the hosting of that constituency. That pushed the cost higher than what we had expected.”
She said planning for a majestic event like SONA requires close coordination with several government departments responsible for infrastructure and security.
“If you look at the tents that are here, it is Public Works that is responsible, working with the city to ensure that indeed it is ready for that hosting. Also, to make sure that the security of the precinct is in place, and that is why we work with the security cluster. You saw the minister of justice, police, as well as correctional services, because all of those are important in hosting an event such as this.”
Didiza added that authorities have not identified any specific threats of protests, but said space remains for citizens to express their views.
IOL has also reported that final preparations are under way at Cape Town City Hall ahead of the address, with Parliament officials describing the event as “the highest formal expression of executive accountability to Parliament and, through Parliament, to the people of South Africa.”
This is also expected to be the last SONA held at City Hall before the restoration of the parliamentary precinct is completed.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News