SONA drama a sideshow: Mbete
Tension is mounting ahead of President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address this evening.
Final preparations are underway, but the focus is set to again be on the disruptions, rather than President Zuma's actual address.
The EFF has vowed to disrupt President Zuma's speech, while other opposition parties remain outraged over the deployment of 441 troops at Parliament.
Meanwhile, Speaker Baleka Mbete has labelled the annual drama as a sideshow, and says it should be treated as such.
"It's a few people trying to draw attention to themselves and unfortunately, it sometimes delays us or distracts us from what really is the key meaning of the day," says Mbete.
Mbete says the more we pay attention to those who disrupt SONA, the more we encourage them.
"We as a society must talk to ourselves and ask ourselves to what extent we cooperate and pay more attention to what really should not be given attention," says Mbete.