State of the Nation to cost R4m - Parliament
Parliament’s presiding officers say President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address and the subsequent debates will cost the taxpayer R4 million.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and acting secretary Penelope Tyawa addressed the media on Tuesday on the preparations for the flagship event.
Mapisa-Nqakula says the eleventh-hour change in the venue has caused a major setback in the planning.
“The venue has caused a serious setback in the planning and preparations, which ordinarily begin several months in advance.”
The Cape Town City Hall was declared the precinct of Parliament from 31 January until 16 February 2022, due to the devasting fire that burnt parts of the National Assembly building.
READ: 'All systems go' for State of the Nation Address
Tyawa says the fact that the event will be held at Cape Town City Hall means the costs will be a bit more than in previous years.
“Noting the fact, the City Hall is a place we have to invest wall to wall broadcast ICT, catering, furniture, and interpretation facilities, in budget estimated we have put aside R4 million.
“That includes the debates up until the response of the president. On the day itself, we are anticipating an expenditure of about 1.9 million, but like I said, this is budget. It is therefore anticipated that the budget may be more.”
SONA is set to take place on Thursday evening at 7pm.
ALSO READ: Cape Town City Hall to officially become parliamentary precinct
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