Former Gauteng premier Mbazima Sirois says there are many issues that President Cyril Ramaphosa needs to address in Thursday's 2024 State of the Union Address (SONA).
Sirois highlighted some of the issues the president might tackle, including service delivery, the energy crisis and unemployment.
He said in an interview with South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) News that the president is likely to focus on the 30th anniversary of democracy since 1994.
“Well, we need to be able to say that we have taken advantage of a 30-year period to give more people access to water, sanitation and health care.”
Sona 2024 | Ramaphosa’s Promise of a New Dawn: Mbazima Shirowa
Significance of SONA
SONA provides the President with an opportunity to address the public about the general situation in South Africa, reflect on a wide range of political, economic and social issues, brief the public on government initiatives and set out government policy. behavioral program.
This year's speech comes as the country prepares for national and local elections. Kealeboga Mapunye, Professor of African Politics at the University of South Africa, talks about the history and political significance of SONA.
New rules during SONA period
Meanwhile, Parliament said it is ready to implement the new rules in both Houses of Parliament at Cape Town City Hall during the SONA period.
Congress amended the joint rules to address confusion during SONA. Parliamentary Internal Coordination Committee Chairwoman Grace Boroto said preparations were in place for the important milestone.
“Everything is ready because we know the situation in this country. Everyone knows what's involved, but the Rules Committee has discussed it at length and the order is up to the president. We had to come up with rules to make sure it didn't interfere with the speech.”
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member Julius Malema also shared his views on not being allowed to attend SONA tonight.
The EFF has lost a court challenge to block Congress from introducing new rules barring them from interfering with presidential speeches.
This follows last year's SONA where Malema and a group of EFF members were ordered from the room by the Speaker for disrupting Ramaphosa's speech.
“Congress changed the law and the rules and said no one would give orders to the president when he gives the State of the Union address. They changed the law specifically for the EFF. Because they fear the point of order. This is a tool used in Congress to hold the president accountable. Stripping away the point of order is saying that the president should not be held accountable. That will happen.”