Road closures for SONA 2026: What motorists need to know
The State of the Nation Address takes place on Thursday at Cape Town City Hall.
Image: Robin-lee Francke/IOL
The 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) is taking place on Thursday, February 12, and the City of Cape Town has asked motorists to take note of the road closures that have been put in place.
Road closures have been in place since Monday, and some will remain in effect until Friday, February 13.
The City of Cape Town’s spokesperson for Traffic Services, Kevin Jacobs, said it was important to remind motorists of the road closures that have been put in place in the lead-up to the event, as well as during its duration and aftermath.
The SONA address will be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the City Hall in Darling Street.
These are the road closures in place for the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 12.
Image: CoCT
These are the road closures in place for the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 12.
Image: CoCT
On Thursday, affected roads will include:
- Darling Street between Buitenkant and Tenant Street (17:45 - 19:30), and between Plein Street and Buitenkant Street (4:00 - 23:59)
- Coronation Street between Caledon Street and Darling Street (00:00 to 23:45)
- Longmarket Street between Plein Street and Buitenkant Street (00:00 to 23:45)
- Commercial Street between Nieumeester Parking and Plein Street and between Plein and Buitenkant Street, which becomes bi-directional (04:00 - 23:45)
- Roeland Street between Buitenkand and Brandeer Street
- Buitekant Street between Roeland and Darling Street (17:45 - 19:30 - control of traffic)
- Darling Street between Buitenkant and Adderley Street and between Buitenkant and Tenant Street (00:00 - 23:45)
- Sir Lowry Road between Tenant Street and Darling Street (12:00 - 23:45)
- M3, Union Avenue, Rhodes Drive, Philip Kgosana Drive, Roeland Street, City Bound Carriageway: from Newlands Avenue to City Centre (17:45 - 19:30)
- Woolsack Drive, Rondebosch Westbound: between Main Road (M4) and Rhodes Drive (M3) (17:45 - 19:30)
- Anzio Road, Observatory: from Main Road (M4) to Philip Kgosana Drive (M3) (17:45 - 19:30)
- N2 Settlers Way Cit-bound carriageway, from Main Road (M4) to City Centre (17:45 - 19:30)
- Klipper Rd: Main Rd (M4) to Newlands Ave (17:45 - 19:30)
- Princess Anne Ave: Newlands Ave to Union Ave (17:45 - 19:30)
- Newlands Ave: Dean St to Princess Anne Ave (17:45 - 19:30)
- Dean St westbound: Main Rd (M4) to Newlands Ave (17:45 - 19:30)
Furthermore, Darling, Corporation, Longmarket, Parade, Plein and Commercial streets will be affected on Friday from 09:00 to 23:45, in the formats outlined above.
Jacobs has confirmed that some road closures were implemented before and will last until the end of February.
“Some of these closures started on February 7 and will continue until February 28, 2026, to accommodate parliamentary sittings. Available parking space in some areas will also be affected,” Jacobs said.
The City of Cape Town is requesting motorists to:
- Limit non-essential travel in the central business district (CBD) area over the period in question.
- Factor in additional travelling time if they must move in/out or around the CBD and surrounds, as traffic volumes will likely be elevated.
- Plan routes accordingly.
- Keep intersections free between light changes, as blocking interchanges causes further delays.
- Be patient and courteous.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL