Cape Town – Traffic in Cape Town’s Central Business District came under severe strain this week as road closures related to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) disrupted normal travel across the city ahead of Thursday evening’s national event.
The annual address by President Cyril Ramaphosa, held this year at Cape Town City Hall, has prompted extensive security and ceremonial preparations that are expected to affect commuters for days.
According to the City of Cape Town’s Traffic Services, several major thoroughfares have been shut down since early in the week, with some closures in place until 28 February to accommodate parliamentary sittings and related security measures.
Traffic service spokesperson Kevin Jacobs warned that motorists should expect “extensive disruptions across the CBD” and consider alternative routes where possible. “Motorists are requested to limit non-essential travel in the CBD over this period,” he said, urging drivers to “factor in additional travelling time and plan your routes accordingly.”
The closures have already had an impact on commuting patterns, with early-morning vehicles “streaming into Cape Town’s CBD” as drivers attempted to beat the congestion created by barriers and rerouted traffic.
Closures taking place between 9 and 26 February will affect several key routes in the Cape Town CBD, including:
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Darling Street – sections between Plein, Buitenkant, Adderley and Tenant streets, with closures running from early morning to late at night on selected days.
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Plein and Lower Plein streets – between Roeland and Castle streets, with extended closures from 13 to 26 February.
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Corporation Street – from Caledon to Darling streets.
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Longmarket Street – between Plein and Buitenkant streets.
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Parade Street – from Caledon to Darling streets.
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Commercial Street – including portions that will temporarily operate as a two-way road.
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Buitenkant Street – between Roeland and Darling streets.
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Sir Lowry Road – from Tenant to Darling streets.
With heavy travel predicted before, during and after the address, Cape Town residents and visitors have been urged to remain patient. Jacobs stressed the importance of keeping intersections clear and being courteous on the roads – advice that comes amid broader concerns over congestion in the city.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
