President sends SONA date to Parliament

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially written to Parliament to inform it of the date on which he wants to address the nation.

Once the President’s letter has been considered by the Presiding Officers, it will be processed through the systems and structures of Parliament.

The President uses section 84 of the constitution which gives him the power to summon Parliament for an extra ordinary sitting to conduct special business.

The State of the Nation Address is an annual event called by the President to address the Nation though a joint sitting of Parliament. Spokesperson Moloto Mothapo confirmed that President Ramaphosa has communicated the date to Parliament.

Mothapo says, “The Presiding officers of Parliament Mme Thandi Modise and NCOP Chairperson Ntate Masondo received a letter from the President informing them of the date for the first SONA for the Sixth Democratic Parliament. The President has indicated that the joint sitting of those two houses to enable him to deliver his SONA will take place on the 20th of June at 19:00.”

It will be the second State of the Nation Address this year,- an event which brings the three arms of the state,- the judiciary, Parliament and the executive under one roof every year.