defenceWeb Written by defenceWeb - National Ceremonial Guard at Parliament. This year’s SONA (State of the Nation Address) will be stripped of its military ceremony, along with other elements which signify the official commencement of parliamentary business each year. There will be no visible contribution from the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) as Parliament cuts back drastically on attendance and contributions to SONA this year (11 February at 19h00). The National Ceremonial Guard (NCG), wearing its distinctive uniform and carrying chromed, polished and belted rifles and precision drill, will not be a backdrop to South Africa’s “great and good” who traditionally attend the Presidential start to the parliamentary year.