Home » So Ja, SONA2017: Check Out What Went Down in South Africa’s Parliament…

So Ja, SONA2017: Check Out What Went Down in South Africa’s Parliament…

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa, was a lot of the same old same old. Chaos. Brawls. Political parties kicked out of parliament (EFF). Parties walking out (DA). Buthelezi wearing his feather. Lots of pointing, and even more ‘points of order’. Swearing, insults and fists being thrown. And although […]

By SAPeople
10-02-17 02:58
in Eish!

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa, was a lot of the same old same old. Chaos. Brawls. Political parties kicked out of parliament (EFF). Parties walking out (DA). Buthelezi wearing his feather. Lots of pointing, and even more ‘points of order’. Swearing, insults and fists being thrown. And although Zuma had promised the media would have full access, yet again access was temporarily withdrawn (until Mmusi Maimane negotiated to let them back in). Below are some of the tweets and videos to fill you in…

Basically President Jacob Zuma was late. Opposition members called him “rotten to the core” (that was Julius Malema, Economic Freedom Fighter leader) and a “scoundrel” (because of ongoing alleged corruption scandals, largely concerning his close ties with the Gupta family).

Source: Twitter

Malema’s EFF attempted to stop South Africa’s president from delivering his annual speech to the nation, calling him unfit for office. But, predictably, they were thrown out – amidst much fighting – by security men in white.

The Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) lawmakers stormed out in protest, to the sounds of African National Congress members shouting “Out! Out!”.

Zuma then laughed (again), and said “finally”, before delivering his address. Read the full transcript of the 2017 State of the Nation Address here. Zuma announced there will be radical economic transformation.

And that was it… basically. Scroll down thro’ the videos and tweets for a catch-up.

The whole sorry saga…

 The scenes outside…

https://twitter.com/NatashaMichael3/status/829760606139846656

Cape Town’s mayor…

When Maimane fought for the press to be allowed in…

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille…

A word from the sponsors… well, the SA Government…

Some opinions…

Malema speaks… and many listened…

The moment media freedom was lost and the sound was cut…

https://twitter.com/adrenalinda/status/829795850301931521

With the EFF gone, some fell asleep…

On a serious note…

A kodak moment…

Maimane venting…

https://twitter.com/Solomon_Madube/status/829768885582884870

A highlight of the evening for some… watch from about 1’50” as the sign language guy translates some of the foul language!

Here’s a close-up of the sign language interpreter’s big moment…

DA leader Maimane will hold a press conference Friday morning to announce a plan of action following SONA2017. He says:

And a last word from the EFF:

And what does the President say?

All wrapped up with another brilliant ad from South Africa’s favourite ad makers (and restaurant chain), Nando’s: