State of the Province Address (SOPA)

On 20 February, the Western Cape Provincial Parliament will host the official opening of the second session of the Sixth Parliament. Premier Alan Winde will also present his annual State of the Province Address (SOPA) at this occasion. For the first time, this event will be held away from the Provincial Legislature building, and indeed, the Cape Town CBD.

Shortly after his election, Speaker Masizole Mnqasela stated that one of the strategic goals for the Sixth Parliament of the Western Cape would be to place the people of the province at the centre of its business.

“The Rocklands Civic Centre has been chosen as the venue for this year’s opening and SOPA because it is situated in one of the largest suburbs in the province, and in South Africa”, says Speaker Mnqasela.

Mitchells Plain also reflects many of the burning issues residents across the province grapple with on a daily basis. It is home to an economically diverse population ranging from the less fortunate to middle class, it is seriously affected by social ills like crime and addiction. Many of the businesses in its CBD are affected by the economic pressures we see in South Africa today.

The majority of people in our province will probably never have the opportunity to attend a SOPA in the CBD. In addition, the WCPPs public galleries in Wale Street can only accommodate 98 people. As a result, every year we are forced to turn away hundreds of people who are interested in attending the State of the Province Address. As an institution that takes our constitutional duty seriously, we have taken the decision to take the event out of the city and to a place where more people will be able to attend.

By hosting the event at the Rocklands Civic Centre in Mitchells Plain we will be able to invite 500 people to the event. This also means that the allocation of guests to the political parties has been increased and an additional allocation has been made to the five smaller political parties.

Additionally, 100 invitations have been reserved for members of the public. Of these, 60 will go to residents and representatives of Mitchells Plain organisations and the remaining 40 to residents from surrounding areas. Making these accommodations would not have been possible if the event remained at the Legislature building in Wale Street.

Hosting this event at a remote location will clearly result in additional expenditure. However, as with previous openings and SOPAs held in Wale Street, the event will be modest. The WCPP prides itself on prudent spending and this event will be no different. The venue has been made available at no cost and there will be no frills. The bulk of the R626 000 budget is allocated towards the sound and digital setup. This setup will allow for the broadcasting of the event online, at our public viewing area near the venue and on television to ensure even more citizens are able to access the information being shared and the important debates taking place.

Our mandate as the Western Cape Provincial Parliament is to provide a forum for public debate and to involve the public in our processes and work. This event will bring legislators closer to the community members they serve. In today’s society, where participation is so valued by residents, this outreach is vital.

This is also not just a one-day event, but a meaningful exercise in democratic participation. Various standing committees will also be conducting oversight meetings and public hearings in the greater Mitchells Plain area in the lead-up to the opening and SOPA. This is being done in order for the Members of the WCPP to gain a better understanding of the challenges facing this community and to be able to raise these issues with the Premier and his Executive. These standing committees will then oversee the addressing of these issues by the Western Cape Government and, if and where necessary, demand feedback from the members of the Executive on matters that have not been addressed.
Speaker Mnqasela says: “It has never been more necessary than now to engage with the people of the province, and bring government closer to the people.”