This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, who was addressing the media in Cape Town on Wednesday, 7 February 2024.

SONA will be held at the Cape Town City Hall from 7pm.

“This [SONA] is different and unique in so many ways. It is important that it is allowed its own expression and that South Africans can take out of it the celebratory element. We are marking 30 years of our democratic dispensation. It is also the last SONA under the sixth administration.

“And so, what you will have is a reflection of the past 30 years, coupled with an account of the work of the sixth administration over the last five years. It is important you allow those key elements to be expressed as much as possible without adding other issues,” he said.

Magwenya explained that the delivery of SONA was a constitutional imperative.

“There is a constitutionally mandated democratic tradition for the President to open Parliament. So, it’s not just about the State of the Nation Address; it’s the opening of Parliament. This is something that has been part and parcel of our democratic dispensation since 1994.

“We urge all South Africans to follow the address as it deals with the state of the nation; not the state of only one segment or some segments of the nation. It is the state of all of the nation,” he said.

This year’s SONA will be held under the theme: Following up on our Commitments: Making your Future Work Better.

During a media briefing held by Parliament’s presiding officers this week, National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, said that SONA had a greater impact beyond the walls of the Cape Town City Hall.

She said Parliament, together with Proudly South African, had come together to encourage guests and members of Parliament to walk down the red carpet in garments produced by local designers.

“The campaign aims to increase appreciation and visibility for local designers and their creations and to provide momentum for the growth of the fashion business. This initiative goes beyond mere fashion appreciation; it seeks to connect consumers with the rich stories, culture and creativity inherent to South African fashion, thereby fostering a sense of pride in local craftsmanship.

"This partnership has far-reaching implications for the country’s economy and the fashion industry. Encouraging public representatives and guests to don local designs sends a powerful message of support for local business, which is crucial for economic growth, job creation and addressing issues of inequality and poverty.

“This collaboration between Parliament and Proudly South African is not only a celebration of South African talent but also a step towards sustainable development, economic empowerment and a more responsible fashion industry,” she said.

The local economy is also expected to receive a boost.

“SONA significantly boosts the local economy by attracting increased tourism, media presence and business activities to the city.

“This influx of visitors and heightened economic activity during the SONA period contribute to job creation and increased revenue for local businesses, including hospitality, transportation and retail sectors,” she said.

SONA will be broadcast live on Parliament TV, mainstream broadcasters and streaming services, ensuring comprehensive access and engagement for everyone across the nation.

"Let us come together as a nation to witness, discuss and reflect on the state of our nation, as we continue to build a more inclusive, prosperous and resilient South Africa,” Mapisa-Nqakula said.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

Through the Working for Wetlands Programme, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has invested over R1.4 billion in the rehabilitation of 1 873 wetlands and created 43 662 jobs.

The programme commenced in the year 2000 and is being implemented in all nine provinces of South Africa by a dedicated team of experts working closely with communities.

De Berg Nature Reserve is located along the headwaters of the Dwars River in the highest part of Mpumalanga, approximately 20 kilometres north of the town of Dullstroom and lies adjacent to the Verloren Valei Ramsar Site.

At an elevation of just over 2 300 metres above sea level, the Ramsar site contains the highest altitude wetlands in Mpumalanga, consisting of numerous valley bottom, seep wetlands and mountain streams and represents some of the most pristine and habitat diverse watercourses in the South African grassland biome.

“The Ramsar site, which is a biodiversity hotspot, not only supports numerous pristine headwater wetlands but also supports numerous threatened, critically endangered and vulnerable species of plants and animals.

“The site falls within the Lydenburg and Sekhukhune centres of plant endemism and has a total of 878 indigenous plant species, which include 30 plant species that are threatened and near-threatened and a new species of Bulbine, (B decastroi), which can be found in the valleys of the reserve.

“This site also has 18 species of frogs, 71 reptile species, 432 bird species and 120 mammal species, including Van Dam's girdled lizard (Smaug vandami), various crane species such as blue crane and grey-crowned crane and mountain reedbuck,” the department said.

Many of these species are also rare and vulnerable species. They include flocks of up to 30 of the vulnerable Southern Bald Ibis, which roosts on the cliffs above Ibis Falls, one of 10 iconic waterfalls that can be found at the site.

Although wetlands cover less than 3% of South Africa’s land area, they offer diverse benefits that enrich human well-being.

The department said wetlands were increasingly regarded in South Africa as socio-ecological systems as opposed to only ecological systems.

Many of the country’s wetlands are in urban areas and are often the last remaining open areas for recreational use by the public.

“The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) – an entity of DFFE ‒ is also actively contributing to wetland conservation through its comprehensive approach to mapping and understanding this critical ecological infrastructure, emphasising that informed action today can make a significant difference for the future of wetlands, human well-being and biodiversity.

“Strategic water source areas are crucial to South Africa’s water security and various SANBI projects provide insight into land use and protection levels in these strategically important national assets,” Minister Creecy said.

The designation of De Berg Nature Reserve as South Africa’s 30th Ramsar Site under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance coincided with World Wetlands Day (2 February), which was commemorated under the theme Wetlands and Human Well-being.

Once designated, these sites are added to the Convention's List of Wetlands of International Importance and become known as Ramsar sites. In designating a wetland as a Ramsar site, countries agree to establish and oversee a management framework aimed at conserving the wetland and ensuring its wise use.

“Through the development of partnerships to monitor, protect and rehabilitate wetlands, by ensuring our wetlands are kept free of litter and invasive alien plant species and by ensuring that we follow best practices to ensure that wetlands are sustainably used for their services, we show our appreciation for and acknowledge the value of wetlands and ensure that they remain in place to provide future generations with the same services,” the Minister said.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za