SONA 2025: Parliament forced to dismantle marquee set up for VIP guests

CAPE TOWN - Parliament has been forced to take down a marquee erected for VIP guests to watch the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

This is after it failed to meet the City of Cape Town’s safety standards.

The marquee was installed early on Thursday morning with just about 500 chairs.

It was located just outside the Cape Town City Hall where most of the SONA activities will happen.

Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says the VIP guests will now be accommodated at the International Convention Centre, approximately two kilometres from the City Hall.

“The marquee did not pass the certification assessment or inspection. As parliament we stepped in to make sure that our guests we have invited are not disadvantaged, they are able to continue to enjoy even though it’s no longer as close as we would have wanted it to be.”

Among the VIP guests are political party leaders and their plus ones, family members of ministers and invited expats.