An estimated 2,000 guests from various sectors are expected to attend the State of the Nation Address (SONA) tonight at the Cape Town City Hall. President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the first SONA of the 17th administration under the Government of National Unity (GNU).

ALL SYSTEMS GO 

Yesterday, the Speaker of Parliament, Thoko Didiza and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, addressed the media on Parliament's readiness for the 2025 SONA. As usual, Didiza said the proceedings will retain a full ceremonial format, including a 21-gun salute, an aircraft fly-past, a ceremonial guard, the singing of the national anthem, a full military band and processions involving provincial speakers, premiers, the judiciary, the deputy president and the president. Didiza confirmed that they expect about 2,000 guests who represent civil society and academia, as well as traditional, religious and cultural groups at the event which costs R6 million. "The Head of State will reflect on various important national issues and outline the progress made on the government's commitments. As such, SONA signifies the highest level of the State's accountability to the citizens by providing updates on government's programmes, developments in legislation and policies, profiling targets and a programme of action for the new financial year,' the Speaker added.

DIGNITARIES EXPECTED 

Some of the dignitaries expected to attend include former presidents and deputy presidents, former speakers of the National Assembly, former NCOP chairpersons, former deputy speakers of the National Assembly, Cape Town mayor, the Bapedi nation Queen Manyaku Thulare and a member of the European Union who serves as the chairperson of the delegation for relations with South Africa.

Didiza said the 2025 SONA will be hosted under the theme of Harnessing Parliamentary Diplomacy for the Realisation of Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability. "This theme aligns with Parliament's hosting of the Parliamentary Speakers Summit (P20) from the Group of Twenty Countries, popularly known as the G20, later this year. South Africa will be the fourth consecutive country from the Global South that will host the G20 summit, providing an opportunity to deepen the call for solidarity, equality and sustainability in the world.' Ramaphosa will deliver his SONA address at 7pm. SONA will be followed by a two-day debate, with a reply from the president hosted at the Dome in the Nieuwmeester Parking Site.