CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 09: Members of the South African National Defence Force rehearse for the last time for State Of The Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall on February 09, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. . President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver his State Of The Nation Address to a joint sitting on February 10th. (Photo by Gallo Images/Die Burger/Jaco Marais)
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 09: Members of the South African National Defence Force rehearse for the last time for State Of The Nation Address (SONA) at the Cape Town City Hall on February 09, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. . President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver his State Of The Nation Address to a joint sitting on February 10th. (Photo by Gallo Images/Die Burger/Jaco Marais)
It’s here: SONA 2022 takes places under unique circumstances, and a change of venue promises to bring a fresh flavour to proceedings on Thursday evening. Cape Town City Hall welcomes President Ramaphosa – and 298 MPs in attendance – for a speech that could be make or break for Cyril.
Meanwhile, there’s been a small scuffle between EFF members and SAPS officers…
And just like that the EFF are in a scuffle. I’m not an expert at lip reading but I think Pambo just said “Fuck you” to members of the SAPS. #SONA2022 pic.twitter.com/wve2iiqWcN
— Kgauza wa Lecowza (@Kgauza_SM) February 10, 2022
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This is now Ramaphosa’s fifth State of the Nation Address. And the natives are getting restless. The president stands accused of failing to deliver meaningful reforms to tackle rampant poverty and unemployment levels. Criticism is coming from all corners of Parliament, and indeed, from some of his own comrades.
SONA 2022 is expected to focus on the State Capture Report, South Africa’s energy woes, and post-pandemic life. Ramaphosa may even be so bold as to declare an end to all lockdown restrictions, but there’s no guarantee that Cyril will remove the last few remaining shackles this evening.
We know the EFF aren’t happy with the limited capacity at City Hall, with over 100 MPs set to miss out on the live event. They’ve promised to protest against this, meaning there’s a real chance of disruption from the firebrand party.
We’ll have the red carpet event, a military display, the performance of our national anthem, and the arrival of our president at the venue to keep us occupied before the big event. It’s a 19:00 start for President Ramaphosa, with his speech expected to end no later than 20:15.
The 69-year-old head of state knows better than anyone that he’s got hurdles to overcome if he wants to deliver SONA 2023 next year, too. He faces leadership challenges from within his own party, with the spectre of corruption and the ANC’s poor electoral performance weighing heavy on Mr. Ramaphosa.