Zuma readies to deliver State of the Nation Address

South Africa’s president Jacob Zuma is set to deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) later on Thursday.

The theme of SONA 2017 is The Year of Oliver Reginald Tambo: Unity in Action Together Moving South Africa Forward.

The 74 year old leader is expected to outline the government’s plans to improve the economy this year.

Zuma officially kicked off the 2017 State of the Nation Week with a business investor luncheon in on Tuesday.

This year’s SONA comes amid renewed calls from opposition parties on the president to step down

Zuma, continues to face growing criticism over a series of damaging corruption scandals, worsening unemployment levels and slowing economic growth.

Meanwhile, the president has ordered the deployment of more than 400 troops to maintain law and order in parliament. Opposition parties have condemned the decision as a “declaration of war”.

Previous addresses have been marred by protests and brawls as opposition MPs demanded his resignation.

News Agencies