Scheduled for Friday, 20 February, at the Old Greys Sports Ground in Bloemfontein, the address will begin at 10:00. It’s expected to draw thousands of residents from across the province.

Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae will set the tone for the Free State government’s priorities in the year ahead. She’s expected to highlight the provincial government’s performance for the 2025/26 financial year, while also outlining policy priorities, legislative programmes and service delivery commitments.

All systems are in place to ensure the smooth running of the much-anticipated event, confirmed speaker Mxolisi Dukwana. Various stakeholders are working collaboratively to deliver a successful Sopa while keeping costs under control.

“A team that is constituted by the office of the premier, traditional leaders, as well as Salga and the province, the legislature is working on ensuring that everything is running smoothly. We intend to ensure that we do not spend more money than we spent last year,” he said.

In recent years, the Free State Sopa has largely been associated with the provincial capital, Bloemfontein. However, in 2024, it was held in Qwaqwa, a significant shift to improve regional representation and promote decentralisation.

At the time, the then speaker, now sports, arts and culture MEC, Ntombizanele Sifuba, emphasised the move demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity and acknowledged the diverse needs of communities across the province.

But several factors informed the decision to return the 2026 Sopa to Bloemfontein. These include ecological considerations, existing budget commitments and the fact that the provincial legislature is headquartered in the city.

The public can access Sopa through digital platforms, ensuring that residents across the province can follow proceedings even if they are unable to attend in person.

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh