Africa-Press – South-Africa. South Africans can expect significant traffic disruptions in Cape Town next week as extensive road closures come into effect ahead of the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The annual address, delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will take place on Thursday, 12 February 2026, at 19h00 during a joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces at the Cape Town City Hall.
As preparations ramp up for the event, the City of Cape Town has warned that traffic flow in and around the central business district will be heavily affected before, during, and after the address.
Some road closures will begin as early as Monday, 9 February, and certain restrictions will remain in place until 28 February 202.
SONA marks the official opening of Parliament’s annual programme and is one of the most important dates on South Africa’s political calendar.
During the address, the President is expected to reflect on the government’s achievements, outline challenges facing the country, and set out key policy priorities and interventions for the upcoming financial year.
The scale and security requirements of the event mean that extensive traffic management measures are unavoidable.
According to the City of Cape Town, several major routes in the CBD will be affected.
These include multiple sections of Darling Street, particularly between Buitenkant Street and both Tenant and Adderley streets, as well as stretches between Plein Street and Buitenkant Street.
Beyond the CBD, several major arterial routes will be affected, particularly city-bound lanes. These include Philip Kgosana Drive (De Waal Drive), Union Avenue, Rhodes Drive, and sections of the M3.
City-bound carriageways on the N2 Settlers Way from Main Road to the city centre will also be impacted.
In the southern suburbs, roads such as Woolsack Drive in Rondebosch, Anzio Road in Observatory, Klipper Road, Princess Anne Avenue, Newlands Avenue, and Dean Street will experience closures or restrictions.
According the the city, the affected routes are as follows:
Darling street between Buitenkant and Tenant Street
Darling street between Plein Street and Buitenkant Street
Corporation Street between Caledon Street and Darling Street
Longmarket Street between Plein Street and Buitenkant Street
Parade Street between Caledon Street and Darling Street
Plein Street / Lower Plein Street between Roeland Street and Castle Street
Commercial Street between Nieumeester Parking and Plein Street
Commercial Street between Plein and Buitenkant Street becomes bidirectional
Roeland Street between Buitenkant and Brandweer Street
Buitenkant Street between Roeland and Darling Street
Darling Street between Buitenkant and Adderley Street
Darling street between Buitenkant and Tenant street
Sir Lowry road between Tenant street and Darling street
M3, Union Avenue, Rhodes Drive, Philip Kgosana Drive (De Waal Drive)
Roeland Street, City Bound Carriageway: from Newlands Avenue to City Centre
Woolsack Drive, Rondebosch, westbound: between Main Road (M4) and Rhodes Drive (M3)
Anzio Road, Observatory: from Main Road (M4) to Philip Kgosana Drive (M3)
N2 Settlers Way City-bound carriageway, from Main Road (M4) to City Centre
Klipper Rd: Main Rd (M4) to Newlands Ave.
Princess Anne Ave: Newlands Ave to Union Ave.
Newlands Ave: Dean St to Princess Anne Ave.
Dean St westbound: Main Rd (M4) to Newlands Ave
The City has cautioned that available parking in some areas will be limited during this period.
While signage will be erected to guide motorists, officials are urging drivers to familiarise themselves with the affected routes in advance and to plan accordingly.
Motorists are advised to limit non-essential travel in the CBD, allow extra travel time, plan alternative routes, avoid blocking intersections, and remain patient and courteous as traffic volumes are expected to be higher than usual.
With disruptions spanning nearly three weeks in some areas, commuters are encouraged to keep a close eye on traffic updates and consider flexible travel arrangements where possible.
The full spreadsheet of the closures can be seen below.
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