The State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2025 will see the esteemed Xhosa-speaking poet, Inako Mateza, part of the highly-anticipated annual address.
The 19-year-old, who hails from the Eastern Cape, has already made an indelible mark on the country’s cultural scene. Find out more on the accomplished poet who will be showing off her talent at tonight’s event.
INAKO MATEZA IS THE SONA 2025 IMBONGI
Mateza will carry out a crucial role at this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2025. The event is set to take place tonight, 6 February 2025 at 19:00 at the Cape Town City Hall.
Imbongi praise singing is one of the important elements in the annual SONA. It “gives Africanness pride of place – narrating the President’s personal history, clan and family lineage in song, dance and narration.”
Mateza is from Ludiza Village in Willowvale, Eastern Cape. The multi-award-winning poet started showing her passion for culture at a young age. It’s no surprise that she went on to start the INAKO FOUNDATION to educate other young people about their traditions and cultural heritage.
MATEZA ‘ECSTATIC’ TO BE PART OF SONA 2025
Inako Mateza has expressed her excitement to be part of such a prestigious occasion. Speaking to SANews, Mateza revealed how much the opportunity to be at SONA 2025 means to her.
“Being chosen as an imbongi to welcome the President in Parliament tomorrow means a lot to me because firstly, I’m a young person who embraces culture and tradition at a time where young people are focused and celebrated for Amapiano music. So, for me being the imbongi that will be welcoming President Cyril Ramaphosa makes me feel ecstatic.”
The excited talent also shared how being part of the event will inspire her to do more of the work she has been doing.
“This opportunity will encourage me to continue the work I am doing. I’ve noticed that even people on social media enjoy the imbongi part of SONA. I thought I was doing this for my own enjoyment, but I see now that I have inspired others to walk this path too,” she told SANews.
The imbongi at the SONA 2024 was 24-year-old, Senziwe Hatty Maliba. The praise singer is from Buffelspruit in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga.
DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THE IMBONGI PRAISE SINGING PART OF SONA?
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