SOUTH AFRICAN PARLIAMENT OPENS AT NIGHT FOR MANDELA’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY RELEASE FROM PRISON

The opening of Parliament next month will take place in the evening for the first time in the history of the legislature after a request by the Presidency. The historical Opening is scheduled to take place on Thursday 11 February when President Jacob Zuma will deliver the State of the Nation address at 19h00.

South Africa and the world are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release from prison of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela. After 27 years in jail, Mandela became a free man on February 11 1990. To mark this defining moment in the country's history, President Zuma chose to make his speech on Thursday February 11.

Parliament traditionally opens on a Friday morning, with the president's speech to a joint sitting of the houses of the legislature starting at 11:00. The change was proposed to enable more people to follow the ceremony on television.

Source: www.news24.co.za 2010/01/18

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