In case you missed it: Here's what's trending ahead of SONA 2017
At 7pm tonight, President Jacob Zuma will deliver his much-anticipated State of the Nation Address. In the run-up to the big event, social media users have taken to Twitter to make their thoughts known. And they're not holding anything back! From #SONApredictions and #SONAsoldiers, to the shade that's been thrown on the Presidency in some of the thousands of #SONA2017 tweets - we uncover the funnier side of Twitter.
SONA 2016 was characterised by the Congress of the People (COPE) famously exiting the National Assembly before President Zuma could deliver his address.
And then there was the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who - in typical form - led chants of "Zupta Must Fall" before being asked in no polite terms to leave the chambers.
This year promises to hold even more unexpected twists and surprises too - what with the deployment of 441 SANDF soldiers to Parliament, and the EFF once again calling for the address to be scrapped altogether.
ALSO READ: EFF: Scrap this year's SONA
Detracting from the seriousness of this evening's proceedings - here's what's been trending on Twitter as SONA 2017 fast approaches:
#SONAPredictions
— Karabo Mokgoko (@Karabo_Mokgoko) February 8, 2017
Julius Malema will be releasing files like: pic.twitter.com/6hgg5HboYc
#SONAPredictions#SONA2017
— Ntshuxeko Ndhlovu (@BlackkCellence) February 8, 2017
Speaker: Hon Malema u have crossed the line ✋
Juju: line? i dont see it,show me the line i crossed.😂
SANDF: pic.twitter.com/PT1BdHyXLj
Parliament tomorrow will be Ford Kuga 🔥🔥🔥🔥 #SONAPredictions pic.twitter.com/aLxlSDN0yJ
— 100% Motswana 🇿🇦 (@Gobusamang_25) February 8, 2017
#SONAPredictions The EFF bust into a song #ZuptaMustFall #ZuptaMustFall #ZuptaMustFall #ZuptaMustFall #ZuptaMustFall #Zuma441 #SONA2017 pic.twitter.com/JI8u3dzY4E
— IG:AdvBarryRoux (@Barry_Roux) February 8, 2017
EFF proclaims war against me in #parliament I bring out #SANDF... it's that simple #SONA2017 pic.twitter.com/mnyTWoJYaL
— AbortedNews (@AbortedNews) February 8, 2017
Madam speaker will be blocking eff points of order like this #SONAPredictions pic.twitter.com/pgrOKwczLd
— black slayer✊✊✊📖♏♏ (@RMmatlou) February 8, 2017
Intelligence is a word that is mostly used to cover something by politicians "classified information" 🤣😜😂#SONA2017
— Franco © ⚫️⚪️🔴 (@Zuks_Franco) February 9, 2017
The 441 soldiers when Julius Malema rise a point of order. #SONA2017 #SONAPredictions pic.twitter.com/MzW1Hj30sd
— IG:AdvBarryRoux (@Barry_Roux) February 8, 2017
#SONAPredictions
— TweetGuru (@JustKholii_) February 8, 2017
'The pen is mightier than the sword.'
'Bottled water is mightier than a gun'
🙏 pic.twitter.com/30i6rBGFiM
Lol this is fascinating. Who do you think must be "muckraked" - whatever the word is 😂😂😂#SONA2017 #wordoftheday pic.twitter.com/dODsf1OqkY
— Events Burg (@events_burg) February 9, 2017
COMEDY CENTRAL PRESENTS THE JACOB ZUMA ROAST SHOW #SONA2017
— *Obakeng*lekgoathi* (@Obakenglekgoath) February 9, 2017
#Zuma clears throat- #ANC MPs clap 🙄 #SONA2017 in a nutshell #SONAPredictions pic.twitter.com/I7AzvLDcmu
— Miss Adams (@LittleMsMercy) February 9, 2017
#Zuma will tell us that we have a good story and laugh about it. #SONAPredictions pic.twitter.com/DI4QfHjBoN
— Fantastic Caifu (@Rainbow_Caifu) February 8, 2017
A rare picture of madam speaker arriving at parly and sees EFF cars parked outside. #SONApredictions pic.twitter.com/Ry1WOAM5f4
— Land Activist 🏡🏢 (@sulezi10) February 8, 2017
Its #SONA2017 a day when Pres Zuma will stutter, fumble numbers, clear his throat, giggle and molest SA public with lies in Parliament. pic.twitter.com/U8HbgzEmtj
— Just Sayin... (@ThaboMaru) February 9, 2017
I'll just leave this here...#Parliament#SONA2017#SANDF pic.twitter.com/UTrpsIjtGp
— Public Protester (@Pasco_e) February 8, 2017
I dare anyone to seek to be recognised or raise a point of order tonight at #SONA2017 #SONASoldiers pic.twitter.com/SGb6WzQChm
— Refilwe Nkwana (@MrsNkwana) February 9, 2017
SONA Soldiers#SONASoldiers #SONA2017 #Zuma #ANC #cartoon pic.twitter.com/AIFulr6nuW
— Paulie Cartoons (@PaulieCartoons) February 8, 2017