The holding of the State of the Nation Address in the evening on 11 February this year will not result in changes to the occasion. The ceremony which, since the dawn of democracy in South Africa in 1994, has involved ever deepening public participation components will remain unchanged.
Parliament’s Presiding Officers acceded to the request from the Presidency for a joint sitting of Parliament’s National Assembly and National Council of Provinces on 11 February 2010 to enable the President to deliver the State of the Nation Address and conveyed this information to political parties in Parliament towards the end of 2009.
As stated by the Presidency, 11 February was chosen for this year’s State of the Nation Address to celebrate the release, 20 years ago, of former President Nelson Mandela from prison, an event which marked a defining moment in the history of our country.
The change in time for delivery of the address is aimed at making it possible for as many South Africans as possible to be part of this vital event on the country’s political calendar.
The State of the Nation Address is an occasion when the President addresses the nation in his capacity as Head of State, taking stock of South Africa’s domestic and foreign situation and uniting the nation around a common understanding of the direction in which the country should be moving.
It is also one of the rare occasions when the three arms of the state the executive, the judiciary and the legislature come together in one place.
The State of the Nation Address is an occasion like no other and this one will be as full a ceremonial affair as all the others have been since 1994.
The ceremony involves a mounted police escort and a military ceremonial motor escort, the lining of the President’s route by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), an imbongi, a national salute by the ceremonial guard of the SANDF, a military band (the South African Navy Band on this occasion), a fly-past by the South African Air Force and a 21-gun salute.
Parliament’s guest list includes former Presidents, former Deputy Presidents, former Presiding Officers of Parliament and the Judiciary, Cabinet Ministers, Heads of Government Departments, Members of Parliament and representatives from civil society.
Civilian participation forms part of the ceremony and civilian participants comprise eminent South Africans from all provinces, a civil guard of honour from civil society organisations and a junior guard of honour from schools in all nine provinces.
Live broadcasts of President Zuma’s State of the Nation Address will be available through live streaming on Parliament’s website, on television, radio and on big screens at various public centres in all provinces. Detailed information about the State of the Nation Address will be made available closer to the day.
Enquiries:
Luzuko Jacobs
Cell: 082 906 1438
Tel: 021 403 3635
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
18 January 2010
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za/)
