Sona rules should not be used to assert dominance
WHILE the country eagerly awaits the State of the Nation address this week, one can only hope that the changes implemented in the 2024 Sona have been created to allow South Africans to hear the real state of the country’s affairs rather than being used as another opportunity for one party to assert its dominance over the other.
Sona serves as a means to inform the nation about its economic, political and social condition, and is a vehicle for the president to summarise the accomplishments and plans of the government for the year.
However, in recent years, Sona has become a spectacle, taken over by theatrics and repeated interruptions, bullying and, in some cases, walkouts.
While the interruptions were unwelcome for many who wanted to hear whether the myriad issues plaguing the country would be addressed, legitimate concerns of armed police being present were raised and, in particular, worries about the privilege exercised by the ruling party in dominating other parties.
Concern was expressed by, among others, the DA, Cope leader Mosiuoa Lekota and United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa, who described the forced removal of EFF leader Julius Malema and party members as reminiscent of a “police state”.
However, as the countdown to Sona has begun, the focus has again turned to the last-minute court bid by the EFF and Malema to overturn their suspension for contempt of Parliament in 2023.
Their participation may be a challenge, however, as new rules for joint sittings of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces appear to take a swipe at the EFF.
For one, the new rules ban repeated points of order on the same issue and even require a dress code.
Worryingly, the rules provide for the use of “force as may be reasonably necessary” when removing a rowdy member of Parliament, with weapon-carrying security services allowed into the House “in extraordinary circumstances”.
Let’s hope all parties allow for fair and equal participation at Sona to enable South Africans to make an informed decision in the coming elections.