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Official newspaper of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA www.parliament.gov.za parliamentofrsa 2 INSESSION NEWS A hybrid #SONA21 will be conducted under strict Covid-19 protocols & highly reduced budget Ms Thandi Modise, Speaker of the NA Mr Amos Masondo, NCOP Chairperson The Presiding Officers of Parliament (POs), the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) Ms Thandi Modise, and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Mr Amos Masondo, have announced that the 2021 SONA to the joint sitting of Parliament under the theme: “Following up on our commitments: making your future work better”, is going to take place on Thursday, February 11 at 7pm. Briefing the media on will attend virtually. a saluting dais on the steps constitutional functions of the state of readiness of of the National Assembly, public participation, oversight Parliament to host the State President Cyril Ramaphosa the guard of honour by the and law-making. of the Nation Address (SONA), will physically deliver the National Ceremonial Guard the POs said Parliament SONA from the National and the 21-gun salute. The POs emphasised to will heed President Cyril Assembly Chamber. members of the media that Ramaphosa’s call, in his The POs said where possible the money will be used only address to the nation on Other categories that will and appropriate, some of for webinar, on providing 11 January 2021, where he virtually form part of this these traditional features shall refreshments in the form of emphasised that caution important event include take place virtually in keeping bottled water in the chamber should be taken as the new Premiers, Speakers and other with the significance and and for boosting ICT capacity coronavirus variant is infecting special delegates representing character of the address. and connectivity. people at a rapid rate. provinces in the NCOP, eminent persons, diplomatic After the delivery of the The POs assured the nation corps, distinguished guests address by the President, that Parliament will continue and members of the public. the two Houses will again to exercise its vigilance in converge jointly on a hybrid conducting oversight over the Due to the limited number platform to debate the executive as it implements of persons permitted within address of the President, over its plans to reduce the rate of the precincts of Parliament, two days, 16 and 17 February. Covid-19 infections. and Parliament’s sensitivity The President will reply to to the prevailing conditions, the debate by Members of In strict adherence to the various ceremonial aspects Parliament on 18 February. National State of Disaster that usually characterise the regulations, this year’s SONA have been suspended. Due to the hybrid nature of SONA will take the form In this regard, there will be this year’s SONA, the event of a hybrid joint sitting, no red carpet and procession will cost the most minimum of with no more than 50 of the three arms of the state, the budget envisaged, which Members of Parliament, and physical participation of junior is R2.2 million. The significant representatives from the and civil guard of honour, savings expected will be judiciary and the executive in eminent persons, imbongi, redirected to modernising the physical chamber, while military parade that lead the the technological capabilities the remainder of participants presidential procession onto of Parliament to enhance its SYMBOLS OF AUTHORITY: Blackrod SONA 3 During the State of the Nation Address, the public has an State of the Nation opportunity to be informed about government’s planned Address (SONA) priorities for the year ahead. The public can participate more meaningfully in SONA by: • Voicing their expectations of government by sending Editor recommendations to the Brent Simons President in the lead-up to Production editor SONA using the #SONA2021 Mava Lukani or our Parliament of RSA Facebook page Design and layout MIND TRIX MEDIA • Watching SONA live on Parliament TV (DSTV408). Copy editors Jane Henshall, Vusumzi Nobadula • Requesting an invitation to virtually attend and observe Writers the SONA debate which Mava Lukani, Yoli Landu, Sibongile Maputi, Malatswa happens Thursday, 18 Molepo February 2021 after SONA. What is the State of the SONA takes place in February It grants government Photography Access can be arranged Mlandeli Puzi, Nation Address (SONA)? annually and is scheduled for (Executive) an opportunity to through the Public Relations Zwelethemba Kostile Thursday, 11 February 2021 at account to Parliament and the (PR) office, publicrelations@ The State of the Nation 19h00. South African public. It is also Distribution & subscriptions parliament.gov.za. Jacqueline Zils Address (SONA) is one of the • The National Assembly about celebrating our nation Publisher most important annual events Chamber is used for the and nation-building. SONA and the Budget Parliament of the Republic of in the parliamentary calendar. purpose of SONA. South Africa • The President delivers a • It is hosted by both the SONA and Parliament’s Two weeks after SONA, the speech focusing on the Speaker of the National oversight function Printer Minister of Finance introduces Vision Enterprises plans of government for the Assembly (NA) and the the Budget for the coming coming years. Chairperson of the National One of Parliament’s key year. The budget speech Section Manager: Publishing and Production • This speech is delivered Council of Provinces (NCOP). functions is to monitor is based on governments Shirley Montsho to Parliament (during a and oversee the actions of priorities set out by the Joint Sitting of the National What happens during SONA? government. Copyright President in his speech. INSESSION is is published by Assembly (NA) and the • The State of the Nation the Information and Content National Council of Provinces The President uses the Address forms part of For more information on how Development Unit of the Parliamentary Communication (NCOP). occasion to make a speech to Parliament’s oversight to get involved and participate Services of the Parliament • It is commonly known as the nation as both the Head of (monitoring) function. in YOUR parliament please of the Republic of South Africa. “the Opening of Parliament”. State and of Government to: • It does this monitoring to All material published is visit our website parliament. copyrighted and cannot be • All the three (3) Arms of the • Set out the governments improve service delivery and gov.za or request printed reproduced without the written State, namely; the priorities for the coming to achieve a better quality copies from info@parliament. permission of the publisher. Legislature, the Executive years. of life for all living in South gov.za EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES and the Judiciary attend this • Highlight the achievements Africa. Telephone 021 403 8738 annual event. and challenges of the Fax 021 403 8096 E-mail previous year. The public’s involvement [email protected] When and where does SONA and participation in SONA Subscriptions take place? Why is SONA important? [email protected] Post PO Box 15, Cape Town, 8000 OUR IDEALS Vision Citizens tell the President their An activist and responsive people’s Parliament that improves the quality of life of priorities for 2021: Covid, the South Africans and ensures enduring equality in our society. Strategic Objectives economy and crime top of the list Strengthening oversight and accountability; Rev Yvette Moses, Bishop of love to hear you say that the enhancing public involvement; South Africans have diverse expectations deepening engagement in the Cape of Good Hope Synod government is committed from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s hybrid international fora; of the Methodist Church of to the implementation of strengthening cooperative State of the Nation Address. Some want to Southern Africa the Basic Income Grant for government; strengthening legislative hear how the government will deal with all the people of our county, capacity. Honourable President, in as a measure to ensure that future waves of Covid-19, while others are BOOK A TOUR humility and recognition of no one is without a meagre interested in the government’s economic plans To tour Parliament the immense responsibility means to survive. Telephone 021 403 2266 for the year. They spoke to Mava Lukani and hope that you carry for E-mail [email protected] about their expectations. our beautiful nation, I would I would hope for 4 INSESSION NEWS announcements on greater I want to hear from of farmers against crime. resources being put into the President Ramaphosa is the Farmers are killed on a daily area of public healthcare, government’s economic basis and government’s education and housing, recovery plan for the next response to that is very poor. particularly following the three years. This Covid-19 He is definitely going to hardships that have increased pandemic has destroyed the talk about food security and during the Covid-19 pandemic. economy. We always want to production, and the source of I hope to hear of the hear recovery measures of the that food is a farmer, so the strengthening of employment economy from the President.” state has a huge responsibility initiatives for youth and to protect the farmers from graduates in particular. I Security guard Bafana Dino the onslaught of crime.” hope to hear of a greater said: “What I expect from the Ms Ingrid Ferguson Ms Lizzelle Kilowan commitment, backed by President is, first of all, that he Siya Dlisana: I expect him tangible action, to root out must be honest and doesn’t to tell the nation more about corruption at every level of lie to the nation, as this the R500 billion stimulus society and a clear message Covid-19 crisis demands an package. We want a clear and that no one is above the law.