Cape Town City Hall, Grand Parade put forward as alternatives for SONA venue
Updated | By Nokukhanya N Mntambo
The 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA) will probably have to be held at a venue other than the normal National Assembly.
This after the chambers were gutted by fire on Sunday.
The fire left a trail of destruction inside the massive structure, also damaging the Old Assembly building.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, while a 49-year-old suspect has been arrested.
While Parliament is set to go ahead with the annual event, the extensive damage to the Parliamentary precinct has left the February address by President Cyril Ramaphosa without a venue.
Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has offered Parliament a solution to their predicament.
“I have been in contact with the Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to offer our immediate assistance so that the work of Parliament can continue,” says Hill-Lewis.
“Cape Town will make our Council Chamber available to the Speaker four sittings of the National Assembly, as well as the use of the Grand Parade and City Hall for the State of the Nation Address.”
The address, often preceded by a red-carpet event, gives the executive an opportunity to lay out the year’s plans.
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