Where it all happens – Cape Town City Hall Photo Cape-town.info
Johannesburg – The 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA) is ahead of us, but it won’t be the “same old, same old”. The address will be held at the Cape Town City Hall and will cost taxpayers more than R2 million, exceeding the given budget. Last year was a hybrid event which cost R100 000.
Researcher at Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education (AMCHES) at University of Johannesburg, Doctor Tshepo Mvulane Moloi believes the points that will be spoken about come from the 8 January statement, which is released yearly, outlining the organisation’s programme and goals for the year.
Moloi explains the four key points could be “the parliament burning because that costed a lot of money… it was emphasised in the January 8th statement. It was a heated topic…” which could be followed up with talks on Covid-19 and whether the President “will relax the stages”.
The findings from the Zondo commission report will be a topic most are hoping will be mentioned in the address. The final report is expected at the end of the month.
“With the recent revelations from the first two reports, the country will want to know what measure the President will take to cut and eradicate corruption.”
However, Moloi said South Africans should be worried and ask questions as to why those implicated in the reports are not tried today.
“Sadly, because of the bureaucratic arm of government, he’ll only tabulate the report officially at the end of June in parliament. So, we are worried in terms of, are these characters not going to run away from the country? Are they not a flight risk? Justice delayed is justice denied. Why are they not tried immediately?”
The country has been embroiled in controversy when it comes to appointing a new Chief Justice. In the process of interviewing the four candidates, the Judicial Service Commission made several serious procedural mistakes that severely undermined the legitimacy and credibility of the appointment process. Amongst the mistakes are not publishing or releasing a statement about the basis on which it was assessing the candidates, and the scandalous questions put to Maya and Dunstan Mlambo.
The President could announce the next Chief Justice in what Moloi calls “a beautiful surprise for the nation”. He acknowledges the entire process was controversial but “we are running out of time”.
“It’s going to be interesting if he gives it to Judge Mandisa Maya as the nominee that was recommended to him, or will he deter and give it to Zondo [the current deputy Chief Justice]?”
Talks about the economy are also expected, “doing business in ease, the fourth industrial revolution and the same kind of rhetoric,” said Moloi.
The SONA will not be as big as it used to be, with approximately 298 MPs attending and sitting in the chamber. The rest of the representatives of the other arms of government, dignitaries and the media will be limited.
Listen to the entire interview here:
