'All systems go' for State of the Nation Address

It will be held outside of the Parliament building for the first time in history due to last month's fire in the precinct.

The National Assembly and the Old National Assembly Chamber were extensively damaged by the January 2nd blaze. 

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A 49-year-old man, who's accused of starting it, was denied bail last week.

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has been speaking about their readiness for the opening of Parliament at the Cape Town City Hall.

"To say that it has been a challenge preparing for this state of the nation address is an understatement, but we have shown as South Africans that we are indeed a resilient people and we have tried to rise to the logistical and other challenges,” she said. 

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It will be a hybrid event with only some MPs physically attending. 

"Since the Covid-19 pandemic parliament has enhanced's ICT technology and started working in a hybrid manner. This state of the nation we will continue in this approach,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.