Muhammad Bham, Radio Islam News – 08-02-2017

President Jacob Zuma will on Thursday present his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces) at 7pm.

The theme for SONA 2017 is: “The Year of Oliver Reginald Tambo: Unity in Action Together Moving South Africa Forward.”

Zuma is expected to provide an update on the implementation of the Programme of Action based on the National Development Plan (NDP).

The 2017 SONA will be delivered within the context of the current strides made by government to respond to the various challenges that our country is facing.

Security at this years SONA is expected to be tighter than ever, with extended road closures and a beefed-up police presence to deal with any protest marches.

Secretary to Parliament Gengezi Mgidlana says preparations are on track for the event, which will cost an estimated R4 million.

Mgidlana has also given an assurance that cell phone signals won’t be jammed like last year and that journalists will have freedom of movement.

The 2017 SONA will be followed by a debate in the National Assembly and the President’s reply to the debate.

The state of the nation address will be broadcast live on Radio Islam followed by analysis from the team in Cape Town.