Cyril Ramaphosa sets date for first Parliamentary sitting

• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he had convened a joint sitting for the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
• The country has been without a working government since Ramphosa was elected, and he has yet to announce his cabinet
• South Africans hoped that the address would be the opportunity for him to announce his deputy-minister and cabinet

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, the State of the Nation Address, politician-related news and elections at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

Cyril Ramaphosa announced the opening of Parliament. Images: Kim Ludbrook/Pool /AFP via Getty Images and Rodger Bosch/AFP via Getty Images Source: Getty Images

JOHANNESBURG— South Africa's president, Cyril Ramaphosa, called for a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

Ramaphosa convenes sitting

The Presidency's @PresidencyZA X account tweeted the announcement that Ramaphosa convened the sitting for the official Opening of Parliament. The day will coincide with the birthday of the former statesman and apartheid icon Nelson Mandela. It will also be the United Nations-declared Nelson Mandela International Day. Ramaphosa is also expected to outline the seventh administration.

Ramaphosa has not yet announced his cabinet. Tensions have been brewing between the Democratic Alliance and Ramaphosa's African National Congress. Negotiations have been leaked, and the Democratic Alliance demanded eight cabinet positions, including key ministries like Home Affairs, Public Works, and Infrastructure.

View the tweet here:

South Africans hopeful

Netizens hoped that by then, the country would have a working government and that the government of national unity would have announced a cabinet.

Nema Jnr said:

"This is about former president Nelson Mandela. I hope by then you will have the cabinet in order."

Wajid Khan said:

"Let's see what he can do."

Ziluleke Jikingqina asked:

"Will we have a government by then?"

Sanj Maharaj said:

"We need the cabinet announcement first. Hurry up already!"

Victor Mkhweru said:

"We expect nothing but a comprehensive address that tackles the pressing issues of our time: economic recovery, land reform and corruption."

Ramaphosa rebukes John Steenhuisen

In a similar article, Briefly News reported that Ramaphosa rebuked DA president John Steenhuisen.

In a leaked letter, he called John out after the Democratic Alliance demanded eight ministries and for not negotiating face-to-face with him.