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State of the Nation Address 2010

11 February 2010

Growing the economy • Social security for all • Safer communities • Better services to the public • Access to health services, housing and education

On Thursday, 11 February 2010 at 19h00 President Jacob Zuma delivers the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) to a joint sitting of Parliament ( the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces). This is the official opening of Parliament for 2010.

• Background
• Documents
• State of the Nation events
• Photo galleries
• Bua Briefs on State of the Nation Address
• Media arrangements
• Public broadcast of the State of the Nation Address
• Contacts
  

Background

The State of the Nation Address will be presented at 19h00 under the theme “Celebrate the legacy of Mandela – contribute to nation building” to afford all South Africans, especially the workers, students and school children an opportunity to watch the proceedings in their homes after hours. Parliament emphasises in a statement that the holding of the State of the Nation Address in the evening will not result in changes to the occasion.

President Zuma chose the date of 11 February in order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of former President Nelson Mandela from prison. The day will bring all South Africans together to mark the defining moment in the history of the country, including the unbanning of organisations on the 2nd of February 1990.

The SoNA will celebrate national unity and reconciliation, especially during a seminal year for the country in which South Africa hosts the FIFA soccer world cup.

Part of the build-up to the event is the final round and prize-giving of the SoNA school debate on 10 February. The winners will attend the presentation of the address in Parliament.

Documents

• State of the Nation Address summary, February 2010 (download the PDF version)
• Parliament on State of the Nation fast facts, 10 February 2010
• Fast facts on the State of the Nation Address
• Did you know? - facts on the State of the Nation address for learners [PDF]
• Historic State of the Nation Address - the 2010 State of the Nation address commmemorates the release of former President Nelson Mandela from prison.

State of the Nation events

• Monday, 8 - Thursday, 11 February: Road closures
• Tuesday, 9 February: President Zuma meets with leaders of political parties represented in Parliament
• Wedsnesday, 10 February:
  • President Zuma meets with school children who are participating a competition to promote the SONA in schools
  • Sanlam GCIS SoNA National School Debates Competition final and prize giving ceremony
• Thursday, 11 February, 19h00: President Zuma delivers the State of the Nation Address to a joint sitting of Parliament
• Friday, 12 February:
  • President Zuma hosts a reunion lunch with the former prisoners at Groote Schuur residence
  • Minister Chabane brief media on State of the Nation Address outcomes
• Sunday, 14 February: Interview with President Jacob Zuma on SABC1 on Sunday, at 18:30
• Monday, 15 February: Debate on the President’s address in the National Assembly Chamber
• Tuesday, 16 February: President Zuma replies to the debate at 14h00. This will be broadcast liveon Parliamentary channel, SABC 2, and E-News channel.
• Wednesday, 17 February: Minister Gordhan delivers the Budget to Parliament at 14:00
  
• Monday, 23 February: Ministers start briefing the media on the Programme of Action.

Photo galleries

• President Zuma with winners of the Sanlam GCIS school debate competition, 10 February 2010
• 2010 State of the Nation Address, 11 February 2010

Media arrangements

Parliament has special State of the Nation Address 2010 press arrangements.

To see whether you have been accredited, go to the 2010 SoNA media accreditation list [PDF].

Journalists and photographers wishing to cover these events from the National Assembly Chamber or broadcast from the Parliamentary precinct, must send their details for accreditation before 24 January 2010.

Public broadcast of the State of the Nation Address

Watch the State of the Nation Address or listen in on your favourite radio station:

• Parliament’s website (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
• SABC2 from 18:00 (http://www.sabc.co.za/)
• e.tv from 18:30

Contacts

Government Information Call Centre
Toll-free number (from land lines) 1020

Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
E-mail: information@gcis.gov.za

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Last modified: 24 February 2010 16:48:25.