Central SA
Free State Legislature opening: Opposition parties call for new approach─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 14:15 Wed, 07 Aug 2024
“New administration must move beyond business as usual and devise creative solutions to these problems.”
As the Free State premier prepares to deliver her maiden Opening of the Legislature (OL) speech on Thursday (8/8), opposition parties have called for innovative solutions to address the province’s pressing problems, criticising past administrations for their failure to act.
The OL is scheduled for 10:00 in the Bloemfontein City Hall, marking Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae’s first major address since taking office. Opposition parties such as the DA and the FF Plus both voiced concerns about the effectiveness of the incoming 7th administration, emphasising the need for fresh strategies to tackle longstanding issues.
Provincial DA Leader Roy Jankielsohn criticised previous ANC administrations in the Free State for their failure to address, among others, high unemployment and pervasive poverty.
“The 7th administration faces enormous challenges, as the reasons for the current situation are rooted in poor service delivery at the local government level, inadequate road infrastructure, and a high school dropout rate that has left many people unemployed and unemployable,” Jankielsohn said.
He stressed the new administration must move beyond business as usual and devise creative solutions to these problems.
FF Plus MPL Armand Cloete echoed these sentiments, stating Mathae’s speech should outline her plans for economic growth and infrastructure development.
‘She needs to address the state of local governance and municipalities’
“We expect Premier Mathae to provide a clear strategy for boosting the province’s economy, tackling the high unemployment rate, and improving infrastructure. Additionally, she needs to address the dire state of local governance and municipalities,” Cloete said.
With the provincial legislature confirming its readiness for the OL, anticipation is high for Mathae's speech which is expected to detail the 7th administration's priorities and plans for the future, including strategies to improve service delivery and tackle the challenges facing Free State municipalities.
It remains unclear whether the EFF will be part of the OL after deciding to boycott the one which was led by former premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, who’s now the speaker and ANC provincial chairperson.
