Cape Town - With the Cape Town City Hall set to host tonight’s Opening of Parliament Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the City has advised of a number of road closures around the CBD.
Since the elections, Parliament has successfully arranged and onboarded all 454 MPs across the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.
With Ramaphosa’s address at 7pm marking the 7th term of the county’s democratic Parliament, the City said normal traffic flow in streets in and around the city bowl would be affected.
These include Darling Street between Buitenkant and Tenant Street; Longmarket Street between Plein Street and Buitenkant Street; Roeland Street between Buitenkant and Brandweer Street; and Commercial Street between Nieuwmeester Parking and Plein Street.
Between 4.45pm and 6.30pm, Woolsack Drive, Rondebosch, westbound between Main Road (M4) and Rhodes Drive (M3) will be closed, along with Anzio Road, Observatory, from Main Rd (M4) to Philip Kgosana Drive (M3).
A list of road closures can be accessed at bit.ly/3WotE5C
“Road users are requested to acquaint themselves with the closures and to plan their routes accordingly. Motorists should also note that there will be restricted parking in some areas,” the City said.
Presiding officers of Parliament have jointly said the landmark opening address not only outlines the government’s strategic objectives and policy priorities, but also officially inaugurates the new parliamentary term.
It symbolises the continuity of democratic governance and sets the stage for legislative and executive collaboration in addressing national challenges and pursuing the country’s development goals.
“Key provisions of the new rules prohibit members from interrupting the president during the opening of Parliament address and further stipulate that this joint sitting must focus solely on the specific business for which it is convened.
“This year’s Opening of Parliament Address holds particular significance, as it coincides with the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of South Africa's constitutional democracy.
“It provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the inception of democratic governance in our country and to determine the path that we want to travel in the next five in the advancement of our democratic project,” Parliament said.
It said the City Hall was selected in terms of cost-containment measures and also due to its capacity to accommodate all MPs.
“As of July 14, Cape Town City Hall has been officially designated as the parliamentary precinct in accordance with Section 2 of the Powers, Privileges, and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act.
“All applicable provisions of this Act will now extend to the City Hall and its designated precinct area.
“The theme for the 2024 Opening of Parliament Address is: My Parliament, My Voice, My Future.”
Cape Argus