LIVE | Parliament debates President Cyril Ramaphosa’s SONA

All eyes turn to the Parliament of South Africa on Tuesday afternoon, where lawmakers will gather for a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces to debate President Cyril Ramaphosa’s latest State of the Nation Address.

Proceedings get underway at 2pm and will continue into Wednesday afternoon, as parties weigh in on the President’s vision and promises following last week’s address. Ramaphosa is then expected to deliver his official reply to the debate on Thursday at 2pm.

The SONA is a joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament and one of the rare occasions that brings together the three arms of state under one roof.

“It is one of the important moments in South Africa’s democratic calendar. Delivered at the start of the parliamentary year, SONA sets out the government's priorities, plans and policy direction for the year ahead,” Parliament said in a statement.

Parliament said the SONA debate is a central part of its constitutional role in holding the executive to account.

“During the debate, members of Parliament from various political parties interrogate, scrutinise and assess the commitments made by the President, raise concerns from communities, and question whether the government's plans respond to the country’s social and economic challenges.”