Analyst: SONA postponement not a train smash
The postponement of the State of the Nation Address is not a 'train smash', says political analyst Professor Mcebisi Ndletyana.
He says the opening of parliament can still proceed in the next few days.
"Sona is just a ritual, the date doesn't matter even it happens in five weeks or three weeks down the line it doesn't really matter. But because of parliamentary programmes you have to open parliament officially."
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"By the way Parliament is already functioning now, it's open for business but hasn't been officially opened and that can be done in a week or two," adds Ndletyana.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete, along with the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Thandi Modise, confirmed on Tuesday afternoon the address had been postponed.
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Mbete told media that SONA has been postponed due to the likelihood of disruptions taking place.
The Presidency also confirmed that President Jacob Zuma wrote to Mbete and Modise, requesting them to postpone the joint sitting.
The Presidency cited "certain developments" which would make it difficult to hold a sitting and deliver SONA.