General
* Press will be restricted to designated areas.
* Only essential vehicles (required for set-up) will be allowed onto the Parliamentary premises or into roads closed for the State of the Nation Address.
* All set-ups, in designated locations, must be complete and ready for inspection by Parliamentary officials at 16:00 on 10 February 2010.
* Only support media who are essential for covering the State of the Nation Address will be accredited and allowed access to the Parliamentary precinct.
* A list of accredited members of the press, who have passed security clearance, and the areas to which they have been designated will be sent to accredited press and will be posted on Parliament’s website (http://www.parliament.gov.za/live/content.php?Item_ID=1197)by 10 February.
* Refreshments will be served to accredited press in the Imbizo Centre at 120 Plein Street from 12:30 to 14:30 on 11 February 2010.
* Press information sheets will be available at accreditation tables on 11 February. These have also been posted on Parliament’s website and have been sent by email to all press on Parliament’s distribution list. The information sheets contain details about the order of proceedings on 11 February, the significance of hosting the State of the Nation Address on the same day on which former President Nelson Mandela was released from prison 20 years ago, designated areas for different members of the press and for impromptu interviews and contact numbers of Parliamentary and Government Communication officials.
* Only accredited press, informed of their accreditation by 11 February, may enter the National Assembly Chamber to watch the President deliver his State of the Nation Address. The same applies to press designated to the Parliamentary precinct.
* Designation of press to specific areas has been determined on the basis of available space and an equitable selection from the list of members of the press who requested accreditation.
* Registration tags for members of the press who have been accredited may be obtained only on 11 February.
* No further requests for accreditation will be considered on 11 February.
* If your name does not appear on the accredited list of media you will not be granted accreditation.
Registration
* All registration and screening of media will be conducted on the ground floor of 90 Plein Street only on Thursday 11 February at the times listed below.
* SABC, ETV and Primedia – 10:00 to 11:30
* All other broadcast media, photographers and print media – 14:00 to 16:00
* Access to the registration area is through Lily Street (between 90 Plein Street and 100 Plein Street), NOT THE VISITOR’S CENTRE.
* Please bring along official identification (identity document, press card or passport), when collecting your accreditation tag. You will be asked to sign receipt of your accreditation tag and/or bib.
Press do's and don’ts
Please do
* Collect your accreditation tag and bib (for photographers) from the accreditation table on the ground floor of 90 Plein Street at the times specified.
* Bring along your identity document (ID), press card or passport for presentation when you collect your accreditation tag and bib (bibs apply to photographers accredited to be in the National Assembly Chamber and the roving pool of broadcasters).
* Keep three metres away from the red carpet at all times.
* Follow instructions from media management officials and security personnel.
* Wear your accreditation tag and/or bib while you are in the Parliamentary precinct.
* Schedule interviews ahead of the State of the Nation Address, if possible. For interviews with Members of Parliament or Parliamentary officials, please contact Estelle Randall on 076 027 2181, Nolizwi Magwagwa on 083 313 1323 or Lokile Molefe on 072 296 4336. For interviews with the President of the Republic of South Africa or Cabinet Ministers please contact Zingaphi Jakuja on 082 766 3940.
* Conduct interviews and take photos only in designated areas.
* Try not to leave the Parliamentary precinct after you have received your accreditation tags and bibs. If you really must leave, retain your accreditation tag and hand in your bib, if you have been issued with one, at the accreditation table at 90 Plein Street.
Please don’t
* Try to get accreditation on 11 February if you have not already been accredited. It’s distressing for all involved, but we won’t be able to accommodate you. Let’s avoid this deeply unsatisfactory scenario from unfolding.
* Try to smuggle unaccredited people or structures onto the Parliamentary premises.
* Behave in a manner that disrupts proceedings of the day.
* Crowd or block entry to Poorthuys or the National Assembly building after the State of the Nation Address. We have set aside a designated space for interviews after the address and this interview area will be clearly marked.
* Try to enter areas for which you have not been accredited.
* Erect temporary structures on the Parliamentary precinct for which you have not submitted a service provider clearance certificate approved by Parliament’s Protection Services and the South African Police Service based at Parliament.
* Use a flash or tripod when photographing inside the National Assembly Chamber.
Seating in the National Assembly Chamber
* Press accredited with access to the media bays in the National Assembly Chamber must be seated in the National Assembly Chamber by 18:00.
* Photographers and broadcast media accredited with access to stationary/fixed positions in the National Assembly Chamber foyer or the National Assembly Chamber’s public gallery must be in position by 18:00.
Broadcast media and live feeds
Accredited broadcast media may obtain live feeds from Parliament’s Sound and Vision section.
Accredited media requiring sound feed should liaise in advance of 11 February 2010 with the Government Communication and information System (021 461 8145/6).
Media requiring visual and sound feed should liaise in advance of 11 February 2010 with Parliament’s Sound and Vision section (Titus Mmekoa on 082 6776 981).
Photo opportunities outside the National Assembly Chamber building (times are provisional and subject to change)
16:00 to 17:45 – entry to Old Assembly Chamber from Government Avenue in the Company Gardens
Arrival of the Chief Justice of the Republic, members of the Judiciary, Speakers of Provincial Legislatures, Provincial Premiers and diplomatic corps.
17:36 to 18:10 – Main entrance to the National Assembly building
Arrival of former Presidents, former Deputy Presidents, former President of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda, former National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala, former Chief Justices Pius Langa and Arthur Chaskalson and spouses of the President Ms Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma and Ms Thobeka Madiba-Zuma.
18:27 – Procession from Slave Lodge
Procession of Premiers, Speakers of Provincial Legislatures, the Judiciary, Parliament’s Presiding Officers, Deputy President and President.
18:55 – President takes national salute on dais outside the National Assembly building.
Photo opportunities inside the National Assembly Chamber building
* The President entering the foyer of the National Assembly Chamber.
* The President delivering his State of the Nation Address in the Chamber, shots of MPs in the Chamber, etc.
* After the President’s address, official photo outside door leading to the National Assembly Chamber. This official photo comprises the President, the Deputy President, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces and the Secretary to Parliament.
* After the State of the Nation Address, photo of the President with former Presidents.
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
10 February 2010
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za/)
