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State of the Nation Address - 2010
11 February 2010
On Thursday, 11 February 2010 at 19h00 President Jacob Zuma delivers the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) to a joint sitting of Parliament.
In terms section 84(2) (d) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, read with Rule 7(1)(a) of the Joint Rules of Parliament of President Jacob uma has called for a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces on the 11 February 2010.
TThe State of the Nation Address will be presented at 19h00 to afford all
South Africans, especially the workers, students and school children an
opportunity to watch the proceedings in their homes after hours. Parliament
emphasises in a
statement that the holding of the State of the Nation Address in the evening
will not result in changes to the occasion.
President Zuma chose the date of 11 February in order to celebrate the 20th
anniversary of the release of former President
Nelson Mandela from prison. The day will bring all South Africans together
to mark the defining moment in the history of the country, including the
unbanning of organisations on the 2nd of February 1990.
The NA will celebrate national unity and reconciliation, especially during a
seminal year for the country in which South Africa hosts the FIFA soccer world
cup.
Part of the build-up to the event is the final round of the SoNA school debate on 10 February. The winners will attend the presentation of the address in Parliament.
Timeline
- Thursday, 11 February: President Zuma's State of the Nation Address to a joint sitting of Parliament
- Monday, 15 February: Debate on the President’s address in the National Assembly Chamber
- Tuesday, 16 February: President Zuma replies to the debate.
Media accreditation
JoJournalists and photographers wishing to cover these events from the National Assembly Chamber or broadcast from the Parliamentary precinct, must send their details for accreditation before 24 January 2010.
Key facts on the State of the Nation Address
- It is an address to Parliament by the President of the Republic of South Africa, as the representative of the people on the state of the South African nation, and is delivered annually to a joint sitting of Parliament. It constitutes the official opening of Parliament.
- It is called by the President, through the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, when the President writes to them to request a joint sitting of Parliament.
- It is a state occasion and one of the key events on South Africa’s Parliamentary and political calendar.
- The President addresses the nation in his capacity as Head of State and not as head of Government.
- It is one of the rare occasions when the three arms of the state come together in one place - the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature.
Source: www.info.gov.za
