Radio Islam International – 2019/01/31

Parliament will be cutting the costs of hosting next week’s state of the nation address by 47% compared to last year.

The price tag for this year’s event currently sits at R2.5 million.

During a state of readiness address to the media, National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete revealed that the gala dinner usually held after the address would not be going ahead in an effort to curb costs for the opening of Parliament.

Parliamentary spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo told Radio Islam that parliament has reduced costs for the past few years.

“Because of the prevailing economic conditions of the country and the economic hardship that our people are going through, parliament has an oversight body over the executive and other entities, we have to lead by example.”

Mothapo adds that parliament will be hosting two state of the nation addresses this year.

“A unique year with elections coming, meaning that we got the two state of the nations, which means we have to spend on two events this year.”

The first state of the nation address takes place in Cape Town next Thursday from 7pm CAT.

Listen To The Full Interview with Parliamentary Spokesperson Molotho Mothapo Below: