‘All systems go’ for load shedding-free Sona events with R8 million budget

CAPE TOWN - Parliament has set aside R8 million for the State of the Nation Address (Sona) and related events, including the national Budget speech.

Sona takes place at City Hall on Thursday, while the Budget and the debate will follow later in the month.

Addressing the media, secretary to Parliament Xolile George said: “We have budgeted around R8 million-plus, and that takes into account a number of logistics related to putting together an event of this magnitude and scale.”

Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo followed George’s statement with a caveat on the R8m figure, saying Parliament still had to consolidate a final number. He said the major cost drivers were broadcasting and holding the event outside of the traditional Parliament venue.

Mothapo said Parliament had an R8m budget last year, but ended up spending R5.9m.

George said challenges faced by the fiscal purse were taken into account as they drew up the budget. He said the debates and the Budget speech were also factored into the costing.

George said load shedding would be “minimised” to allow for smooth proceedings: “Part of our engagement with the City was the extent to which, in collaboration with Eskom, there would be measures taken to make sure there was no load shedding that would impact on the delivery of Sona, including related precincts that would be central to feeding live coverage of the Sona.

“So that work is ongoing, including alternative measures to mitigate the likelihood of load shedding impacting on the delivery of Sona.”

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said Sona would be fully physical, with 490 members of Parliament on the floor of the chamber and 263 guests who will be accommodated in the public gallery.

She said there would be a 21-gun salute, singing of the national anthem, and aircraft flying over the venue, among other things, ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address.

Mapisa-Nqakula said an IsiZulu-speaking imbongi (praise singer) Msawenkosi Duma will lead the president into the venue.

Touching on the January 2022 fire, Mapisa-Nqakula said Parliament, along with other stakeholders, was finalising the final details around the reconstruction project, with details to follow.

Treasury Minister Enoch Godongwana, in his mini-budget statement in late October, announced the provision of R2 billion for reconstruction.

Zandile Mafu is standing trial for the alleged arson attack on the Parliament precinct.

Meanwhile, EFF leader Julius Malema recently threatened that his party would disrupt proceedings at Sona.

Speaking at Tuesday’s media briefing, the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Amos Masondo, said MPs were familiar with the rules. “Overall we will be firm but fair. We will do everything to ensure that the Sona is a success.”

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lechesa Tsoneli, said: “Any conduct that departs (from decorum) isn’t acceptable and gives the impression that we are crazy.”

He said the presiding officers will deal firmly with ill-discipline.