On 10 February 2011, President Jacob Zuma will deliver the annual State of the Nation Address to a Joint Sitting of Parliament in the National Assembly, Cape Town.
“This year’s address will focus largely on economic transformation, while not neglecting the important social transformation issues and improving access to basic services,” said Minister Chabane, Minister in the Presidency.
“As it was the case last year, this occasion will take place at 19h00 to enable all citizens to be part of the broadcast, including workers and students. The success of an evening SONA was evident last year. In 2009, when the State of the Nation Address was delivered at 11h00, E-tv viewership was 487 000 and SABC 2 viewership was 1,5 million at the same time. In 2010, the SABC2 viewership at 19h00 shot up to 2,5 million and E-tv rose to 1,3 million. We are convinced that more South Africans will use this opportunity to hear first hand, the line of march from the President for the year 2011’’, added Minister Chabane.
The minister said the response in various media forums including social media indicates that the nation is looking forward with great anticipation towards this important event in its calendar, which provides an opportunity for an appraisal of the socio-economic milestones reached in the country, and also maps out indicators for the road ahead in the year 2011.
“The President appreciates the inputs from members of the public on radio stations, Twitter, Facebook and media products. He will also be undertaking a few visits ahead of the SoNA accompanied by ministers, which will enable him to keep in touch with the views of the public,” pointed out the minister.
President's SoNA programme
Tomorrow, on 4 February, the President will attend the Lease Rental hand-over ceremony at Mabeleni Dam in uMthatha, Eastern Cape, where the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will hand over lease rental money to several communities whose land has been rented by private companies for forestry business.
On 7 February, the Minister of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Lulu Xingwana, will visit two sheltered factories in Cape Town to increase awareness about the need to include people with disabilities in the country’s efforts to create jobs. The President will be unable to join Minister Xingwana on this build up programme given weekly ruling party commitments on Mondays.
On 8 February at the Cape Town International Airport, along with Public Enterprise Minister Malusi Gigaba, the President will officially take delivery and inspect the first of the six new South African Airways Airbus A330-200 long-range jetliners, arriving in the country directly from the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse, France.
The A330-200 Airbus, capable of operating between South Africa and all of SAA’s destinations in Europe and other continents, will have a positive impact on the services and reputation of SAA as one of the leading airlines on the continent and is certain to be the prime preference for passengers across the world.
Later on the same day, President Zuma will be accompanied by Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini on a visit to the Sultan Bahu Treatment Centre in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, to highlight challenges regarding substance abuse in our communities and its impact on stable communities and a healthy workforce.
The President will spend the 9th of February resting at home in Cape Town and putting final touches to his speech.
After the SoNA, on 11 February, President will officiate at the handing over of 44 homes to families that were evicted from District 6 during the apartheid era. The event will take place at District 6 at 16h30.
As per tradition, President Zuma will attend the Presidential State of the Nation Address Golf Challenge at the De Zalze Golf Estate, in Stellenbosch also on 11 February.
The Department of Public Service and Administration hosts the event annually to raise funds for the charity of the President’s choice. The focus will be on education, and the proceeds will go to the Jacob Zuma RDP Education Trust.
On 15 to 16 February, President Zuma will attend the debate on the SoNA and reply to the debate on 17 February.
Chairpersons of ministerial clusters will immediately after the SoNA brief the media on various aspects of the programme of action that will be announced by the President.
Enquiries:
Zanele Mngadi,
Cell: 082 330 1148
Harold Maloka
Cell: 082 847 9799
Source: The Presidency
