Issued by: SA Communication Service
DRAFT
MEDIA INFORMATION FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE NEW CONSTITUTION ON 8 MAY 1996
On 8 May 1996 the new Constitution will be adopted in a sitting of the Constitutional Assembly to be held at Parliament in Cape Town.
The following draft programme of the proceedings has been agreed to by the Management Committee of the Constitutional Assembly:
DRAFT PROGRAMME
INSIDE THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CHAMBER:
08:00 1. Guests with seats in the National Assembly arrive and are seated in the public gallery 2. Members of the public enter venues within the Parliamentary complex to watch proceedings on video screens. 08:50 Praise singer leads procession to the National Assembly 09:00 Deputy Chairperson, Leon Wessels welcomes everyone and presides 09:10 Messages of support 09:20 Chairperson, Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the Assembly 09:45 Political parties address the Assembly 10:55 Voting procedure takes place 11:30 President Mandela addresses the Assembly 11:45 1. The Deputy Chairperson closes the formal proceedings 2. CA members proceed to the steps outside the National Assembly for the outdoor proceedings.
OUTSIDE THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY:
11:00 Gathering of organisations of civil society and school children outside 12:10 1. Members of the Constitutional Assembly stand on the steps of the National Assembly 2. Choir sings 12:15 The President, Deputy Presidents and Chairpersons of the Constitutional Assembly take their place on the podium 12:20 The national anthem is led by the choir 12:25 The Chairperson delivers an address 12:35 The Constitutional Assembly song is performed 12:45 President Mandela address the outside gathering 13:10 The Constitutional Assembly wall mural is unveiled 13:15 The proceedings close.
Dinner hosted by the Chairpersons at Fernwood Parliamentary estate 18:30 for 19:20
President Mandela will be the guest of honour
18:30 Guests will arrive 19:20 Guests are seated 19:30 President Mandela to arrive 19:35 1. Master of Ceremonies welcomes President Mandela and guests 2. Master of Ceremonies introduces the Constitutional Assembly song. 19:40 Constitutional Assembly song performed 19:45 Informal address by Chairperson, Cyril Ramaphosa and introduction by the Guest of Honour President Mandela 20:00 Address by President Mandela 20:30 Dinner is served.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEDIA
The following arrangements have been made for media coverage of these events inside the National Assembly chamber, outside the National Assembly Chamber and during the speeches preceding the dinner:
1. Inside the National Assembly Chamber
All media must enter the parliamentary complex through the main entrance to 120 Plein St.
Entry and exit to Parliament will be through the Old Assembly entrance to Parliament only and security will prevent entry and exit through any other entrances.
Only media with valid press cards will be allowed into the parliamentary complex and only media with invitations will be allowed into Parliament.
1.1 Print media
Invitations for local and foreign media can be collected from Ms Pat Fahrenfort, 9th floor Regis House, corner Adderley and Church St. Cape Town (tel 245 031 ext 2246) on 7 May or outside the Large Auditorium, 120 Plein St on 8 May from 07:30 onwards.
1.1.1 Local Print media will be seated in the press gallery.
1.1.2 Foreign 10 Seats will be made available in the press gallery for foreign media not accredited to the Press Gallery Association. The Foreign Correspondents Association has allocated these seats, through the office of Beverley Raath (Newsweek telephone: 011 726 7143).
Additional foreign media will be seated in an overflow room adjacent to the press gallery where the proceedings will be televised.
1.2 Still photographers
Six still photographers will be given access to the public gallery to photograph the proceedings. One of these will be the Constitutional Assembly official photographer.
Other photographers will be allocated as follows:
The South African Communication Services parliamentary media liaison office will co-ordinate the movement of still photographers who should gather in the foyer of the large auditorium, 120 Plein St at 07:45. Niel du Bois should be contacted in this regard on 083 375 3984.
1.3 Television
The SABC and the Constitutional Assembly official team will be the only camera crews who will have access to the proceedings.
Four additional audio/visual feeds are available and these will be allocated on a "first come, first serve" basis by the South Africa Communication Service parliamentary media liaision office. Niel du Bois should be contacted in this regard on 083 375 3984.
Access to the SABC's material can be negotiated directly with them. The contact person is Tommy Thacker (021 551 2560).
2. Outside the National Assembly Chamber
2.1 Print media
A section will be cordoned off for press. Those journalists who are seated in the press gallery will make their way outside via the lifts behind the press gallery and through the Old Assembly exit.
2.2 Still photographers
Three still photographers will be given special access close to the podium from which the addresses will take place as follows:
The South Africa Communication Service parliamentary media liaison office will co-ordinate the movement of still photographers. Niel du Bois should be contacted in this regard on 083 375 3984.
A scaffolding will be erected for other photographers to make use of on a "first come, first serve' basis.
2.3 Television
A scaffolding will be erected for television cameras and space will be allocated on a "first come, first serve" basis.
Patch fields will be available.
2.4 Ratio
Feeds from the podium will be available. This should be arranged through Niel du Bois (083 375 3984)
3. Evening speeches
Access by working media to the speeches which will be made prior to the dinner will take place as follows:
3.1 Media to be met by Niel du Bois no later than 19:15 outside the reception marquee at Fernwood Parliamentary Estate.
3.2 As there is limited space media access will be allocated as follows:
Television
Radio
Still photographers
After the speeches reporting media will depart at approximately 20:30
All enquiries regarding the electronic media will be handled by Niel du Bois (083 375 3984) and enquiries regarding print media will be handled by Katherine McKenzie.
Issued by: Katharine McKenzie Media Liaison Officer, Constitutional Assembly Phone: 021 403 2174 021 245 031 083 651 2222 Fax: 021 24 1160