This year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA 2023) takes place at Cape Town’s City Hall. Here’s a guide on how to watch the address live in South Africa.
What to expect from Ramaphosa’s speech
Cape Town’s centre city will be buzzing on Thursday late afternoon, as members of parliament descend into the makeshift National Assembly for South Africa’s most important annual political event.
SEE ALSO: SONA 2023: Cape Town road closures for Thursday, 9 February 2023
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation about the progress made and hardships faced since the last SONA and allow South Africans a peak into what the future holds.
Heading into Thursday’s sitting, the president would have already been briefed about the potential chaos that awaits on the benches of the EFF, who have made their intentions to disrupt proceedings very clear.
Ramaphosa’s ongoing Phala Phala debacle, rampant loadshedding, escalating costs of living and rising petrol prices, are just some of the frustrations his detractors will likely air out during his speech.
Issues such as rising unemployment, repo rate hikes and increasing crime levels are just some of the touchpoints Ramaphosa is expected to address.
As reported by News24, the civic organisation Defend Our Democracy held a peaceful picket in Cape Town on Wednesday, calling on the president to not whitewash the problems South Africa faces.
“As you address the nation at the opening of Parliament, we urge you to ensure that you honestly reflect on the severity of the problems that beset the country.
“We hope that there will be no whitewashing of the role of government – both the previous, and the current administration under your leadership – in creating these problems or simply not dealing with them,” the group said.
Here’s how to watch SONA 2023 live in South Africa
The SONA 2023 will be broadcast on every South African news channel from 19:00 on Thursday, 9 February 2023.
The event can also be streamed live below:
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