Radio Islam  International – 2019/01/31

Arrangements for next weeks State of the Nation Address in Cape Town has been finalised.

Speaker of the national assembly, Baleka Mbete told media on Wednesday that parliament is ready to host one of the most important events of the South African political calendar.

Following startling revelations at the ongoing Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, many South Africans are waiting with baited breath to see how President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the various allegations implicating senior officials within the ANC, including himself.

The Economic Freedom Fighters last week threatened to turn the event into a question and answer session if Ramaphosa does not account for his role in the Bosasa scandal.

However, Mbete says they do not plan ahead for disruptions.

“We never go in to the event assuming anyone will be planning to go and disrupt it or create chaos out of it, we go in there hopefully to achieve something that will make all of us proud.”

The state of the nation address is an annual event whereby the President reflects on the state of the nation and outlines plans for the year ahead.

It brings together the two Houses of parliament and the Three Arms of the State – the judiciary, the legislature, and the executive – under one roof.

This SONA is the last for Parliament’s current term but it won’t be the last one this year.

Parliament is expected to host another SONA after elections in May once a new administration is elected.