President Cyril Ramaphosa has put final touches to his speech before delivery in Parliament Thursday evening.
He met with advisors and the Director General from the Presidency, Casius Lubisi, at the presidential residence, Genadendal, in Cape Town on Wednesday to discuss his speech.
The annual State of the Nation Address (SONA) will be attended by former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe among others.
Speaking to the SABC, the president says given the challenges of poverty and unemployment, his speech will inspire hope .
Meanwhile, Several roads leading in and out of the Cape Town city centre will be closed in preparation for the opening of Parliament. Some streets around Parliament will be closed for most of the day.
From six o’clock Thursday morning, streets that are in the vicinity of Parliament, such as Roeland, Plein, Wale and Hope streets will be closed.
Other public spaces like Church square and the Company Gardens will also be affected. By five o’clock closures are extended to a few blocks around Parliament. Roads leading into town such as Klipper road, Princess Anne Avenue, Woolsack drive and Settlers Way will be temporarily closed from quarter to six until seven.
Streets and public areas nearest to Parliament will be closed until just before midnight.
