This is according to a political analyst at the University of the Free State, Dr Sethulego Matebesi. Matebesi says concerns regarding the poor state of the healthcare system, lack of job creation, economic development, and rampant corruption in the province are on the rise and Ntombela will need to outline plans to address them. Following the controversy around failed projects such as the Vrede Dairy, where millions have been syphoned off the province to benefit the politically connected, expectations are high that Ntombela address burning questions regarding corruption and the lack of accountability in the province. He adds that Ntombela must also speak on means to alleviate poverty and improve the lives of the people.

Ntombela’s speech set to be delivered at the University of the Free State (Vista Campus) from 9am, will come just a day after the DA delivered their alternative State of the Province Address.

The opposition party’s alternative Sopa drew much attention to how the province needs to improve the healthcare system by addressing issues such as the shortage of medical personnel, administrative staff, lack of resources, medication at the Free State Medical Depot, as well as the need to develop infrastructure at many of its hospitals, clinics and the state mortuary where, during their announced oversight visit last month, they found freezers malfunctioning and bodies decomposing leaving the staff exposed to health risks.

The DA’s alternative Sopa also drew attention to issues regarding the lack of economic growth and how the province’s agricultural sector, mining, and tourism are allegedly not used to their full capacity to create employment opportunities and boost the provinces’ revenue.

According to the Party’s MPL, Roy Jankielsohn, the province’s natural resources should be used in such a way that the province is able to increase its income, develop its people’s skills and create jobs.

The party further used the platform to congratulate Education MEC, Tate Makgoe, on his efforts to produce the best matric results, but called for more efforts to be invested in the quality of education and ensuring that the number of learner drop-outs decreases and the high unemployment rate also decreases.

Moreover, the party did not shy away from what they refer to as the government’s looting and rampant corruption in the province. They are adamant Ntombela must address questions regarding millions unaccounted for relating to projects such as the controversial Estina project, Ramkraal, and the money that was paid to the Gupta-linked Newspaper, The New Age, from the premier’s office under Ace Magashule.

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