For a soundbite of the Parliamentary Spokesperson, Mr Moloto Mothapo, please click: https://iono.fm/e/1455637
Parliament, Friday, 28 June 2024 -Parliament confirms that the Presiding Officers of Parliament, National Assembly Speaker, Ms Thoko Didiza, and National Council of Provinces Chairperson, Ms Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, have received correspondence from the President of the Republic, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, convening a Joint Sitting of both Houses of Parliament for the official opening of the seventh term of Parliament and to deliver the Opening of Parliament Address (OPA).
The President convenes the OPA in accordance with Section 84 of the Constitution, which empowers him to summon Parliament for an extraordinary sitting to conduct special business.
The date for the OPA is 18 July 2024, coinciding with International Nelson Mandela Day, and it will be held at the Cape Town City Hall.
Preparations are currently at an advanced stage to ensure the successful hosting of this event.
It is important to emphasise that, in terms of the new Joint Rules of Parliament, the OPA is distinct from the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the two should not be conflated. The OPA occurs once every five years after national and provincial elections and provides a platform for the newly elected State President to articulate the vision and priorities of the new administration. The OPA also marks the official opening and start of the new five-year term of Parliament.
It is essential to avoid confusing or equating the OPA and SONA, referring to them interchangeably, or labeling the OPA as a "second SONA". The SONA, convened and delivered annually by the President in February, serves to outline the government's plans and priorities for the year and report on the state of the nation.
Members of the media wishing to cover the 2024 Opening of Parliament are reminded to apply online with the following: https://www.parliament.gov.za/media
The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 3 July at 17:00.
Information required includes:
Full name as it appears on the identity document
ID/passport number
Name of the media organisation and media group
- Designation (writer, photographer)
- If a freelancer, indicate under which media organisation you are applying accreditation for (compulsory).
- If a media analyst, indicate under which media organisation you are applying accreditation for (compulsory).
- If a service provider, indicate under which media organisation are you applying accreditation for (compulsory) and what services will you be supplying.
- Email address, telephone number, and mobile phone number
- Media requesting to broadcast from the venue of the Opening of Parliament (which will be a parliamentary precinct) must also provide the following additional information:
- Make and registration number(s) of vehicle(s) needed for broadcast
- Service provider clearance certificates for proposed temporary broadcast-related structures
- Other equipment
- Date and time of arrival and departure
For assistance with media accreditation, please contact Manelisi Ntsodo at: mntsodo@parliament.gov.za or 081 716 2021 or Mlindi Mpindi at: Mmpindi@parliament.gov.za or 081 716 7329
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo
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