President Calls Joint Sitting for SONA 2026

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces to deliver the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, 12 February 2026.

“The President has called the joint sitting in accordance with Section 84(2)(d) of the Constitution and Rule 13(1)(a) of the Joint Rules of Parliament. The Constitution provides that the President may summon the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces, or Parliament to an extraordinary sitting to conduct special business,” Parliament said.

During the sitting, which will be held at the Cape Town City Hall, the President will highlight achievements of the administration, flag challenges, and outline interventions for the coming financial year.

SONA marks the official opening of the annual Parliamentary programme and sets out government’s key policy priorities for the year ahead.

SONA 2026 will be broadcast live at 19:00 on Parliament TV on DStv Channel 408 and on Parliament’s YouTube channel.

What is the State of the Nation Address?

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is an annual address delivered to the nation by the President of the Republic of South Africa as the Head of State. During SONA, the President will highlight achievements, flag challenges, and outline interventions for the coming financial year, while deliberating on South Africa’s domestic affairs as well as its continental and international relations.

Who can attend SONA?

The SONA guest list is made up of publicly elected representatives from the national, provincial and local spheres of government, which includes Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Premiers, MECs, as well as the leadership of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). The sitting also includes representatives of the House of Traditional Leaders, members of the public and representatives from civil society, and other invited guests in the Public Gallery, among others.

Former Presidents and Deputy Presidents, as well as leaders and representatives of the Judiciary, are invited to attend SONA as well.

How can the public participate in the State of the Nation Address?

South Africans can attend the State of the Nation Address as invited guests of Parliament either as Civil Guards of Honour, Junior Guards of Honour or Eminent Persons.

The Civil Guards of Honour are made up of ordinary South Africans.

The Junior Guards of Honour are drawn from schools around South Africa.

Eminent Persons are nominated by the Speaker of each Provincial Legislature – nominated on the basis of their contribution to society.