President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the 2025 State of the Nation Address in Cape Town’s City Hall on Thursday night.
His address is expected to start at 7pm.
Watch ‘s live stream from the SONA 2025 Red Carpet
More from the red carpet
MK Party expects more lies in SONA 2025
MK Party chief whip Mzwanele Manyi says they are expecting MORE LIES from President Cyril Ramaphosa and they say Ramaphosa has blood on his hands for the 14 lives of SANDF soldiers, who were killed in combat in Goma, eastern DRC.
The MKP chief whip says the Ramaphosa government has failed.
“The whole thing is a mess!”
Video: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media
GNU partner on G20 and America
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says it would be disappointing for the US not to attend the G20 summit held in South Africa.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made a significant announcement, revealing that he will not attend the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa. He cited concerns over “anti-American sentiment” as the primary reason for his decision.
SONA fashion wins
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport at the City of Johannesburg Kenny Kunene has arrived at the Cape Town City Hall for the 2025 State of the Nation Address.
Kunene, known for his love of luxury brands did not disappoint when it came to his SONA outfit, wearing Versace Medusa loafers that retail for R21,700.
MK Party MP and musician Gezani Eric Kobane, also known as Papa Penny made sure to make a statement, rocking bold gold shoes. At least they matched his outfit.
Attendees have to put thought into their SONA outfits, even the shoes, it’s the little details that matter. Like cracked heels exposed by sandals and comfort is important, which is possible why attendees are rocking kitten heels.
No one wants to see an MP walking barefoot thanks to uncomfortable shoes. Bold choices are also being made with lots of colour from red Puma sneakers to yellow pointy shoes, people are stepping on the red carpet.
SANDF and the 21-gun salute
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will take part in the traditional 21-gun salute and military flyover during Thursday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) despite the Democratic Alliance’s call.
In light of the recent unfortunate deaths of 14 South African peacekeeping soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the DA requested earlier this week that the military presence at the event be reduced.
The DA stressed that the full military demonstration would not be necessary given the current situation in the DRC.
Guests and dignitaries walk down the red carpet at City Hall while President Cyril Ramaphosa receives final inputs for the 2025 SONA from the government of national unity (GNU) partners.
Bahle abantwana bagezile. This is some of the fashion our cameras have spotted at the Sona red carpet so far.
Video: Ian Landsberg, Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media
MK Party’s Papa Penny says he expects Ramaphosa to address job creation
MK Party MP and musician Gezani Eric Kobane, also known as Papa Penny says he expects to hear nothing new from President Cyril Ramaphosa.
What he would love to hear him speak about opening more factories in the villages, to create jobs. The vocal musician, however, says he will not be holding his breath.
@iolnews MK Party MP Papa Penny Penny Kobane says he expects to hear nothing new from President Cyril Ramaphosa. What he would love to hear him speak about opening more factories in the villages, to create jobs. The vocal musician, however, says he will not be holding his breath. Video: Ian Landsberg/Independent Media https://www.iol.co.za/tags/sona-2025
♬ original sound – NEWS
Video: Ian Landsberg / Independent Media
Al Jamaah Party expect SONA 2025 to address unemployment and crime
Advocate Shameemah Salie, a Member of Parliament from the the Al Jamaah Party, says she expects President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the bread and butter issues including unemployment, crime and ensuring that almost 2,000 unemployed doctors find work to help the country.
The MP has called for the president to be transparent, to provide clear timelines and to ensure that deadlines be met.
Video: Ian Landsberg/Independent Media
Traffic disruptions in Cape Town’s city centre
Major traffic disruptions are set to hit Cape Town’s city centre as Parliament implements extensive security measures.
Parliament announced a series of road closures and parking restrictions in and around the Cape Town City Hall as it prepares for the SONA scheduled for Thursday, February 6 at 7pm.
These closures are necessitated by the significant security and logistical measures associated with hosting the annual address, which is a cornerstone of South Africa’s political calendar.
A pedestrian gate will be established at the corner of Longmarket and Corporation Streets to facilitate controlled entry.
Read more on the full road closures, here.
WATCH SONA 2025 LIVE:
Excitement builds as Parliament readies for the 2025 SONA
Meanwhile, it remains unclear if former president Jacob Zuma will attend the SONA 2025 after conflicting remarks from high profile Umkhonto Wesizwe Party Members of Parliament (MPs) on Thursday.
After years of snubbing invites to the SONA, it remains unclear if Zuma will attend the alongside over 50 MK Party MPs this evening.
Read the full story here.
Excitement builds as Parliament readies for the 2025 SONA
Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza said the SONA was a crucial event on the national calendar that required months of meticulous planning.
The 2025 Sona will be hosted under the theme of ‘Harnessing Parliamentary Diplomacy for Realisation of Global Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’.
