BLOEMFONTEIN – Incumbent Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae will deliver her second State of the Province Address (Sopa) – today- Friday 20 February, at Bloemfontein’s Old Greys sports ground. This will be her second Sopa, with the first delivered last year, on 21 February.
The focus is expected to be on developments and achievements for 2024-’25 and the 2026-’27 priorities, aligned with her tenure – which started with her inaugural address on 8 August 2024.
Delivering her first Sopa, her agenda prioritised strategic goals aligned with national objectives under the theme “Building a Province United in Progress”:
■ Economic growth – driving inclusive growth and job creation to address a provincial unemployment rate that was approximately 37,6% at the time.
■ Social welfare – reducing poverty and tackling high cost of living.
■ Governance – building a capable, ethical and developmental state.
■ Sector support – emphasising agriculture as a primary economic driver and pledging to repair rural road infrastructure to support the sector.
She stressed commitment to improving service delivery and fighting unemployment. Key focus areas included revitalising infrastructure, tackling the high cost of living, and promoting accountability in local government.
