Zuma cracks invite to costly Sona

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says former president Jacob Zuma has been invited to attend this year’s State of the Nation Address (Sona), which could cost nearly R7 million.

The 2024 Sona will be hosted at the Cape Town City Hall, with more than 400 people expected to attend the annual event tomorrow evening.

Mapisa-Nqakula yesterday said all preparations are in order for President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver his Sona speech.

The speaker highlighted the “importance” of this year’s event as it marked 30 years of democracy and was “the final Sona of the current parliamentary fiveyear-term”.

Earlier, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lost its bid to interdict parliament from applying newly adopted House rules that will prevent the chaos that had characterised its conduct at the Sona.

But political analyst Dr Levy Ndou said it might not be easy for the EFF to accept this decision.

“Bottom line is that in every organisation there are rules and regulations that must be followed.

“Parliament has rules that guide members of parliament. If they disagree with the rules they can still make a proposal to parliament and convince others members of parliament to adopt it,” Ndou said.

“The rules are created for the purpose of order and ensuring that parliament has decorum. The court had to decide whether to go for disorder or order. I think they ruled in favour of order,” Ndou added.

Mapisa-Nqakula said parliament has introduced a set of new joint rules aimed at maintaining order in the chamber and promoting civility among members.

She said they would be implemented for the first time during this year’s Sona.

“They are an essential step in ensuring that the proceedings, including the Sona and the opening of parliament, are conducted with the respect and seriousness they deserve.”

In terms of the new rules, no member is allowed to interrupt the president while he is delivering his speech.