Hon members, before we proceed with today's business, I wish to announce that Mr Michael Coetzee, the Secretary to Parliament, passed away on Friday 13 June 2014. Hon members will notice that there is a vacant seat where Mr Coetzee would have been seated. I would like us to observe a moment of silence for the late Secretary to Parliament.
Moment of silence observed.
Please be seated.
Hon members, the President has called a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in terms of section 84(2)(d) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, read jointly with Rule 7(1)(a) to deliver his state of the nation address to Parliament. I now call on the hon President to address the Joint Sitting.