---
title: "In pictures: #SONA2017"
description: "It was an absurd juxtaposition – VIPs preparing to have their outfits discussed on the red carpet as protestors, the military and riot police prepared for a tense SONA2017. LEILA DOUGAN was there with her camera. (Watch this space for updates.)"
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "South Africa"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-02-09-in-pictures-sona2017/"
published: "2017-02-09T18:14:46"
updated: "2018-03-19T15:00:58"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 126
---

# In pictures: #SONA2017

> It was an absurd juxtaposition – VIPs preparing to have their outfits discussed on the red carpet as protestors, the military and riot police prepared for a tense SONA2017. LEILA DOUGAN was there with her camera. (Watch this space for updates.)

Published 9 February 2017, 20:14 SAST · Updated 19 March 2018, 17:00 SAST

## Content

![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x519q70Image-1_Zizi-Kodwa-750x519.jpg)

You spin me right round, baby, right round: Zizi Kodwa has the floor. Photo by Leila Dee Dougan

![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x669q70Image-2_ANC-supporters-750x669.jpg)

Ready for action: ANC supporters nail their colours to the mast. Photo by Leila Dee Dougan

![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x413q70Image-3_Outside-Parliament-750x413.jpg)

Waiting game: Police vans outside Parliament. Photo by Leila Dee Dougan

![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x500q70Image-8_-security-forces-file-into-the-Castle-in-Cape-Town-to-be-briefed-by-Acting-Police-Commissioner-General-Phalane-750x500.jpg)

![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x500q70Image-11_-Security-Personnel-at-the-Castle-in-Cape-Town-before-being-briefed-by-Acting-Police-Commissioner-General-Phalane-1024x683-750x500.jpg)

![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x500q70Image-9_-Security-Personnel-at-the-Castle-in-Cape-Town-before-being-briefed-by-Acting-Police-Commissioner-General-Phalane-750x500.jpg)

![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x499q70Image-10_-Security-Personnel-at-the-Castle-in-Cape-Town-before-being-briefed-by-Acting-Police-Commissioner-General-Phalane-750x499.jpg)

A sea of blue: Security forces assemble. Photos by Leila Dee Dougan

![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x620q70Image-6_Phalane-addresses-media-after-security-force-personnel-briefing-750x620.jpg)

Fortress: Lieutenant-General Kgomotso Phalane addresses media after a security forces personnel meeting. Photo by Leila Dee Dougan

![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x487q70Image-13_-Security-Personnel-at-the-Castle-in-Cape-Town-praying-before-being-briefed-by-Acting-Police-Commissioner-General-Phalane-750x487\(1\).jpg)

Say a little prayer for you: Security forces bow their heads in prayer ahead of SONA. Photo by Leila Dee Dougan

![Image](//images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/750x508q70Image-16_-Security-Personnel-at-the-Castle-in-Cape-Town-after-being-briefed-by-Acting-Police-Commissioner-General-Phalane-750x508.jpg)

This way please, sir: Security staff after being briefed by Phalane. Photo by Leila Dee Dougan

*Main photo: Security forces prepare for SONA 2017. Photo by Leila Dee Dougan/ Daily Maverick*