President Cyril Ramaphosa has called a joint sitting of Parliament to deliver the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, 12 February 2026 at 19:00.
The address will take place at Cape Town City Hall and will be broadcast live on Parliament TV and other platforms.
What is happening?
The 2026 State of the Nation Address will be delivered to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.
The President has called the sitting in terms of Section 84(2)(d) of the Constitution and the Joint Rules of Parliament.
SONA marks the official opening of Parliament’s annual programme. It allows the President to outline government priorities for the financial year and report on progress made.
Due to the 2022 parliamentary fire, the address continues to be held at Cape Town City Hall, which has been designated as the parliamentary precinct.
Why it matters to you
SONA sets out government’s key policy priorities for the year ahead.
It signals which sectors may receive funding focus. It also frames the national budget process and parliamentary oversight that follows.
After the address, Members of Parliament debate the President’s commitments over two days. The President then replies to the debate.
The Budget Speech by the Minister of Finance follows later, aligning funding with priorities announced during SONA.
What you need to know
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | State of the Nation Address 2026 |
| Date | Thursday, 12 February 2026 |
| Time | 19:00 |
| Venue | Cape Town City Hall |
| Convened under | Section 84(2)(d) of the Constitution |
| Broadcast | Parliament TV (DStv Channel 408), SABC and YouTube livestream |
Additional key facts:
- It is the sole item on the agenda for the joint sitting.
- The ceremony includes formal processions and a 21-gun salute.
- It is one of the rare events where the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary are present together.
What you should do next
If you want to follow government priorities closely:
- Watch the address live at 19:00
- Review key commitments announced
- Follow the SONA debate on 17 and 18 February
- Monitor the Budget Speech for funding alignment
This helps you understand how national policy decisions may affect services, taxes, jobs and economic planning.
Where to get help or official information
Official updates and livestream links are available from:
- Parliament of South Africa
- Parliament TV (DStv Channel 408)
- Parliament YouTube channel
For related coverage, visit our South African news category for ongoing updates on national policy and parliamentary developments.
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