The State of the Nation address scheduled for Thursday, February 8 has been postponed. Speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete made the announcement today on the steps of parliament.
The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Thandi Modise, who was also present, said that the address will not be delayed for more than a week.
Mbete said in her address that the fear of a repeat of previous disruptions of SONA addresses had prompted Parliament’s decision to move it. She also confirmed that they will continue their interaction with the president of the ANC Cyril Ramaphosa on the matter.
Rumours that President Jacob Zuma is expected to step down from office are rife. It didn’t take time for people on Twitter to comment on the announcement.
#SONA2018 kushubile pic.twitter.com/PTGGwwTQE2
— Siyabonga Mkhize (@siyamkzmkhize) February 6, 2018
You would swear Stefano Dimera is running this country.
Never a full moment. #SONA2018 pic.twitter.com/DTD0u7unve — The Phoenix (@nkintsela) February 6, 2018
Pump those breaks #SONA2018 has been postponed until further notice. A new date to be announced soon #BalekaMbete pic.twitter.com/gSLJyWxXSL
— Tikka Garam (@ZikhonaMasala) February 6, 2018
All these stockos in CPT already and #SONA2018 postponed ???? pic.twitter.com/NnMpV5W8FF
— ? (@Bhuti_Jali) February 6, 2018
#Mbete #SONA2018 Zuma is left with 2 options now. pic.twitter.com/0hlLFEhUwa
— Daniel (@DanielSeremba) February 6, 2018