Issued by: SA Communication Service
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE OPENING OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE FIRST PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA AT 11:00 ON FRIDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 1997 IN CAPE TOWN
1. In a departure from usual practice, hard copies of the President's embargoed speech will be delivered to members of the Press Gallery at their Parliamentary offices by officials of the President's office. This is expected to take place shortly before the President delivers his address on Friday, 7 February, 1997.
Immediately they become available, hard copies of the speech will be handed out under strict embargo to the foreign media in the Large Auditorium (Rain Forest), 120 Plein Street.
2. At 10:48 the President will arrive at Parliament where he will receive the National Salute in front of the stairs of Parliament (Main Hall). While the National Anthems are being played, a 21-Gun Salute will be fired from Lion's Head, followed by a fly-past. Please be advised that the following roads leading to Parliament will be closed from 10:00: Roeland, Plein and Parliament Streets.
MEDIA PLEASE NOTE: No roaming will be allowed outside the demarcated media positions after 10:15 and during the opening ceremony which is to start at approximately 10:50.
3. Scaffoldings for the media have been erected in front of the Main Hall of Parliament. Due to limited space the media will be accommodated on a first-come-first-served-basis. Television representatives may liaise with the SABC regarding access to direct feeds inside and outside Parliament. The live feed from the SABC can be obtained from the SABC Langkloof Studios (Tel (021) 551-2560), or directly from Auckland Park (Tel (011) 714 4893). Three audio/visual feeds are also available inside Parliament. Interested parties are advised to contact Zamindlela Zama or Elmien Riley of the Media Liaison Section of Parliament at Tel: (021) 4033902.
MEDIA PLEASE NOTE: Plein Street will be closed to the public. Journalists, however, may gain entry through the SAPS checkpoint at the foot of the street. Valid press cards AND ID documents/passports will be mandatory at the checkpoint. Journalists other than those permanently accredited to the Parliamentary Press Gallery MUST use the 120 Plein Street entrance to Parliament. Journalists are strongly advised to allow enough time for security clearance at the checkpoint as well as at 120 Plein Street. Photographers and TV cameramen may start setting up their equipment by 09:30.
Should difficulties arise at the checkpoint, journalists are advised to ask the officer in charge to contact the SACS Media Centre officials listed below.
4. At 11:00 the Opening of Parliament will take place. The President will deliver the opening address shortly after 11:00. His speech will last approximately 45 minutes. Media representatives will be able to follow the proceedings on closed-circuit television in the large Auditorium. The proceedings will also be broadcast live on Channel 2.
5. For information on media arrangement inside Parliament please contact Zamindlela Zama or Elmien Riley of the Media Liaison Section of Parliament at Tel: (021) 403 3902.
6. A photo-opportunity with the President, the Deputy President, the Speaker and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces will take place in the gardens of Tuynhuys immediately after adjournment. Photographers are requested to use the main entrance to Tuynhuys. Valid press cards will be required. Due to strict security measures, all equipment will be searched at the checkpoint. MEDIA: Report at main entrance not later than 11:20.
7. Please note that no flashlights will be permitted at the Opening Ceremony, inside Parliament or at the photo-opportunity in the gardens.
8. MEDIA NOTE: No filing facilities will be available.
BRIEFING WEEK. 10 - 14 FEBRUARY 1997
The official programme for the Briefing Week (10 - 14 February 1997) will be updated and displayed on a daily basis at the Large Auditorium, 120 Plein Street. Journalists who wish to attend the Briefing Week will need no special accreditation. But must be in possession of valid press cards and ID documents/passports All journalists are requested to use the main entrance to 120 Plein Street. Please note that all cellular phones and pagers will have to be switched off in the auditorium at all times because of interference with the sound system.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNICATION SERVICE CAPE TOWN
5 FEBRUARY 1997
CONTACT PERSONS: Viv Naicker Tel: (021) 461 8143 Cellular phone: 082 557 9221 or Robert Raborifi Tel: (021) 461 8143 or Xanderie van der Watt Tel: (021) 461 8143 Cellular phone: 082 4534 168