The Provincial Government has begun with preparations. However, it is unclear at the moment if the event will take place at the usual venue, the University of the Free State’s Vista Campus in the south of Bloemfontein. 

Ntombela is expected to also address the challenges that Free Staters are faced with and boast about the achievements of the 2022/23 financial year. The Lekgotla, which served as part of the preparations, was explained as a meeting to take stock of the service delivery progress in relation to the set objectives.  

ALSO READ: Free State Exco holds Lekgotla

Some of the achievements that were highlighted during the preparatory meeting were:

- The estimated R1.7 trillion Virginia Gas Project by Renergen will significantly change the economic fortunes of the province. 

- The province is still retaining its number one spot as the leading province in the country with an 88.5% Grade 12 pass rate. 

- 25 infrastructure projects have been registered with Infrastructure South Africa for assessment, preparation, and funding and implementation consideration in the province. 

- 93.6% of households in the province have access to tap water and 86.3% to improved sanitation. 

“We have intensified our support to municipalities, to repair the ailing financial status of our municipalities. We have put together a number of interventions,” Ntombela said.

ALSO READ: Mangaung’s financial woes worsen, even after intervention

The Auditor-General's (AG) report, which was tabled earlier in February, revealed that even after the national intervention, the Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro Municipality incurred a loss of R1,8 billion in the previous financial year. 

The metro further failed to investigate unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure amounting to R1.4 billion. The report also indicated that the metro has received a qualified audit outcome with findings. The DA in the municipality is of the view that this outcome is a regression from the previous financial year. The DA’s Dulandi Leech made reference that the AG mentioned material matters of concern that required “significant and urgent intervention”. Material matters include the lack of supporting documents to substantiate actual achievements. In terms of other projects reported, the documentation differed substantially from the work which was done. Additionally, limited measures were put in place to improve the reporting processes.

ALSO READ: Mixed reviews after #FSSOPA – VIDEOS

Back to the matters of Sopa, the 2022 Sopa was received with mixed emotions by provincial political parties. Opposition parties at the Provincial Legislature gave different views on her plans for the province for this financial year. The EFF provincial chairperson, Mandisa Makesini, told OFM News that most of what Ntombela said, is 70% of what she said in 2021 but they were, however, happy about the announcement on plans to curb crime in the province. The DA provincial leader, Roy Jankielsohn, believed that Ntombela didn’t deal with the real problems people are facing. The Freedom Front Plus' (FF Plus) Armand Cloete made mention of the infighting that is happening within the ANC at municipal level. He referred to Ntombela as being in a state of denial.

OFM News