Residents of the Free State look forward to the State of the Province Address (Sopa), which will be delivered by Premier Mxolisi Dukwana in the Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Centre in Qwaqwa on Thursday (29/2).

In recent years, the Free State Sopa has been synonymous with the capital city of Bloemfontein. This year, however, marks a departure to improve regional representation and decentralisation.

This was highlighted by Speaker Ntombizanele Sifuba at a recent media briefing at the Free State Legislature. She emphasised that the shift of this year’s Sopa not only signifies a commitment to inclusivity but underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing the diverse needs of all citizens across the province.

“In our term, we only had two or three Sopas. If we did not take the Sopa out of Motheo, we would take the budget vote to all other districts. Even before we came, I remember the last Sopa was held at Vrede.”

“So, it’s not the first time the Sopa is taken out of Bloemfontein and we are doing so because we are trying to adhere to the fact that we want to go out to all the districts in the province,” Sifuba explained.

Speaker Ntombizanele Sifuba. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

More than 1,600 people are expected to be part of this year’s address in Phuthaditjhaba, including VIP guests, 450 officials and the public. Parking will be allocated closer to the venue with high-security personnel on sight.

Dukwana’s second Sopa comes at a crucial moment when decisive action is needed to restore public confidence and revitalise local government structures, especially leading to the election in May. 

Dukwana is expected to confront service delivery challenges and municipal tension brewing in the province.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi