Media briefing public update on 2014 Presidential Inauguration by Minister Collins Chabane Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the 2014 Presidential Inauguration, Pretoria

23 May 2014

Ladies and gentlemen of the media,
Colleagues.

Thank you for coming to this media briefing on the eve of the 2014 Presidential Inauguration which will take place in the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings, Pretoria, tomorrow, Saturday May 24.

As South Africans, we can all take pride in what we have witnessed over the past few days, as our electoral process moved from the ballot box in our voting districts, to Parliament where a multiparty National Assembly elected the President of the Republic.

Our Constitution demands that the President-Elect be sworn in within five days of being elected by the National Assembly. The Inauguration of President-Elect Jacob Zuma is a culmination of the transition process, signalling the beginning of yet another important phase in the country's development.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee is pleased with the state of readiness and we are confident that this will be a moment of pride for all South Africans and a memorable gathering for the many leaders from various continents who have confirmed their attendance.

We sincerely appreciate the interest shown by our international guests and extend a hearty welcome to all our guests on behalf of all South Africans.

Visiting Heads of State and Government

South Africa is honoured that the Inauguration of President-Elect Jacob Zuma will indeed be an international occasion attended by Heads of States/or Government, Vice-Presidents/Deputy Heads of State, Prime Ministers, and Former Heads of State and/or Government witnessing the ceremony. The list is attached to the statement.

Fourteen Eminent Persons and 118 foreign ambassadors resident in South Africa will also be present. South African royalty are among the special guests who will witness the Inauguration ceremony in the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre.

Order of Proceedings

We are pleased to announce that the Programme Directors for the day are Minister of Justice, Mr Jeff Radebe, and Ms Jessie Duarte, Deputy Secretary-General of the majority party in Parliament, the African National Congress.

We have previously indicated that 4 500 invited guests will be accommodated in the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings, while 20 000 people will be accommodated on the South Lawns of the Union Building between Church St and Government Avenue.

Invited guests, who will be transported from the Park and Ride facility along Soutpansberg Road, Rietondale, will arrive at the Amphitheatre between 5h00 and 8h00.

Heads of State/Government will arrive at the Union Buildings from 10h30.

The Inauguration Ceremony commences at 11h00, with inter-faith prayers and a recital of the Preamble to the Constitution of South Africa preceding the Swearing-In of the President by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.

The President will take the Oath of Office before signing the swearing-in certificate. This will be followed by a congratulatory item by imbongi Zolani Mkiva. After this, the President will take the National Salute.

The newly inaugurated President will address the nation from the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre.

After a rendition of the National Anthem and a civilian fly past by South African Airways, the President will depart for the Southern Lawns for a brief address to the audience at this venue.

The President will leave the Southern Lawns for a Presidential State Luncheon at Sefako M Makgatho Presidential Guest House, to which Heads of State/Government and VVIPs and VIPs have been invited.

The programme for the day will be concluded just before 15h00.

Participation by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)

South Africa's armed forces will once again play a central role in the ceremonial elements of the Presidential Inauguration. The South African National Defence Force will present arms to the Commander-In-Chief. The role includes the following highlights:

• South African Air Force will assist with the management of Ports of Entry (ORTIA, Air Force Base Waterkloof and Lanseria.
• The SANDF's top six generals will form part of the Podium Group for the Inauguration Ceremony. The group consists of the Chief of the SANDF, the Chief: Joint Operations, Chief: Army, Chief: Air Force, Chief Navy and Surgeon-General.
• The Chaplain-General will conduct the final prayer after the inter-faith prayers.
• The National Ceremonial Guard will perform a Guard of Honour and National Salute for the Inauguration ceremony.
• A motorcycle escort will escort the President-Elect to the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings.
• The South African Air Force will execute a fly past during the National Salute.
• At the end of the ceremony, there will be an air display performed by the SA Air force together with an SAA Boeing.
• The SANDF will perform 21-gun salute during the National Salute.
• Aides de camp will accompany the President-Elect to the podium.
• The South African Navy Band will entertain guests at the Presidential Luncheon.
• The South African Army band will entertain guests on their arrival at Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre from 5am.
• The South African Military Health Service will provide medical support to the participants and invited guests to the Inauguration ceremony. The SANDF is providing 522 waitrons to serve invited guests at the Presidential Luncheon and the Dome.
• Three sets of silent guards are deployed at the each port of entry to receive Heads of state and Eminent Persons.

Cultural Programme

The cultural programme will provide a platform for local artists to showcase their talent whilst entertaining those attending the inauguration. There will be a combination of music genres and other cultural and artistic performances that will have a cross-over appeal that reflects on our achievements of the past twenty years of our democracy.

The cultural programme will commence at 8h00. The morning programme will end at 11h00 when the formal ceremony commence at the Amphitheatre. A 90-minute choreographed show will start at 12h30 until 14h00. The afternoon cultural programme will last from 14:00 until 16h00 which will signal the end of the event.

Artists performing at the show are:

Mzansi Youth Choir, Bothlale Boikanyo, Zahara, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Matthew Mole, Selaelo Selota, The Soil, Rebecca Malope, Claire Johnston, Oskido and Friends, Kurt Darren, Phuzekhemisi, Mafikizolo, Ihashi Elimhlophe, Chomee, Uhuru, DJ Vetkoek and Mahoota.

Park and ride and road closures

We wish to remind people that anyone wishing to be part of the Southern Lawns event is advised to make use of the public park-and-ride facility at the Tshwane Events Centre in the west of the city, from which buses will begin shuttling visitors from 6am.

Normal bus routes and public transport routes will be diverted as well on 24 May 2014.
Traffic control points will be set up at the following intersections:

• Soutpansberg and Hamilton
• Stanza Bopape and Hamilton
• Stanza Bopape and Gordon
• Soutpansberg and Gordon

Residents living in affected streets are asked to choose the shortest route or closest entry and exit points for access because Stanza Bopape Street and Government Avenue will be a traffic-free zone.

Residents are required to produce recent municipal bills as part of proof of identity. The Inauguration lasts only a few hours and government kindly calls on residents in these areas to cooperate with authorities.

Prohibited goods

Members of the public attending the occasion are advised that the following items are forbidden at the event:

• Alcohol or drugs
• Firearms or weapons
• Bottles or cans.

Restricted Air Space

In view of the security requirements for the Inauguration and the role of the South African Air Force in the Inauguration event, government calls on the aviation community to observe the following flight restrictions:

• Temporary Restricted Military Air Space 1: one nautical mile around the Union Buildings from ground to 7 500 feet, from 6h00 until 18h00 on 24 May 2014;
• Temporary Military Restricted Air Space 2: 25 nautical miles around the Union Buildings from ground to Flight Level 460, excluding the CTR (Control Zone) of Oliver Tambo and Lanseria from 09h00 until 18h00 on 24 May 2014.

All times indicated is local South African time. There will be close coordination between Air Traffic Navigation Services and the South African Air Force to ensure compliance as well as to minimise the impact on civil aviation activities.

However, during the times indicated, all air fields in the restricted air space in the above areas will be closed and no flights will be allowed to fly into or take off from these fields.

The South African Police Service will assist with this aspect at the various air fields. These restrictions will be in place for a limited period and government will appreciate the cooperation of the aviation community.

These are purely precautionary measures to allow efficient management of any air space risks that may arise during a high-visibility event, and is aligned with international best practice. 

This has been done to varying degrees at many past events such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the State Funeral of Former President Nelson Mandela and various summits and international forums.

Media Logistics

Members of the media will be transported from Ritondale Park and Ride and buses will leave 04h00. Due to space limitations, a 100 members of the media will be accommodated at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre. A list of selected media is published on the website. A media centre has been established at the Southern Lawns which will provide sound and television feed to all media.

Buses will shuttle media to the both Union Building and Southern Lawns respectively. No media vehicles will be allowed to drive to the Union Buildings precinct.

Conclusion

Government would like to encourage all South Africans to be part of this momentous occasion in our country. Those who cannot attend will be able to follow proceedings on television and radio, or at 47 public viewing areas in the provinces.

Government therefore calls on South Africans to take a few hours out of their time tomorrow to devote attention to this special occasion and especially to encourage children and young people to observe this event as part of building social cohesion and developing appreciation for what makes us special as a nation.

Together We Move South Africa Forward.

List of confirmed Heads of State/Government

Statement issued by Phumla Williams, Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), May 23 2014

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