Jacob Zuma will give State of the Nation on Thursday in Cape Town - Road closures

Cape Town, South Africa - Major streets in Cape Town will be closed on Thursday some of the roads already closed today. The reason for this is that the State of the Nation speech will be given by Jacob Zuma, South Africa's president.

The following roads will be closed in Cape Town according to government. The following roads will be closed between 4:30pm and 10pm on Thursday:

>Strand Street: from Russell Street to Long Street;
>Adderley Street: from Hans Strijdom Avenue to Wale Street; >Heerengracht: between Coen Steytler and Hans Strijdom avenues; >Bureau Street: between Adderley and Parliament Street and
>Spin Street: between Corporation and Parliament Street.

"Motorists are advised to avoid these roads as well as roads leading to the processional route between 16.30 and 10pm," a statement by the city council said.

The reason this State of the Nation Address will be given at night rather than during the day as normal is because the government wants to allow workers, students and school children to view the speech.

The State of the Nation speech will also be on Nelson Mandela's release date from prison and will mark 20 years since Mandela was freed.