January’s Parliamentary fire had thrown preparations for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) into unchartered waters.

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was briefing the media on the state of readiness for this year’s annual address. It is the first time in history that SONA will be hosted outside of the parliamentary precinct.

Mapisa-Nqakula adds that the decision to host the event at the Cape Town City Hall was not taken lightly, but Parliamentary officials are ready.