On 15 August 2024, the newly elected Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Honourable Morakane Mosupyoe, will preside over the Official Opening of the First Term of the Seventh Legislature. During this session, Premier Panyaza Lesufi will deliver the State of the Province Address (SOPA), where he will present the Provincial Government’s service delivery action plan along with the vision and priorities of the Seventh Administration.
This address is of great significance to every resident of Gauteng, as it will outline the Provincial Government’s key service delivery priorities, aimed at improving the quality of life for all citizens as the Seventh Provincial Administration begins its term.
The Official Opening will take place under the theme “30 Years of Democracy, Partnership, and Growth.”
This SOPA is particularly notable as it marks the start of the First Term of the Seventh Legislature, ushering in newly elected political leadership in the province and welcoming new political parties to the GPL. For the first time, the GPL is composed of 11 political parties and 80 Members of the Provincial Legislature.
Preparations are well underway to host this prestigious event, which will be held at the Change Bible Church in Katlehong. The church will be transformed into a chamber to accommodate invited guests and Members of the Legislature (MPLs) as they observe the proceedings.
Invitations have been extended to 1,500 guests, including those invited by the Speaker of the Legislature, the Premier, the host City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality as well as various political parties represented in the Legislature.
Only accredited guests will be granted access to the precinct. Invited guests and members of the media who have applied to cover the event are urged to collect their accreditation tags in person from the Gauteng Provincial Legislature starting today, 13 August 2024. No accreditations will be issued at the venue on the day of the event.
This Official Opening of the Legislature coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s hard-earned democracy and will be held in the evening. This timing allows the majority of Gauteng residents to witness this significant event from the comfort of their homes without conflicting with their work schedules.
The official program will commence at 17h00 with a salute by the Speaker and the Premier, followed by the House procession at 18h00.
The event will be broadcast live on various Gauteng-based community radio stations, the Parliamentary Channel (DSTV 408), and GPL’s social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube.
On Friday, 16 August 2024, the GPL will host a House Sitting where MPLs will debate Premier Lesufi’s SOPA. The Premier’s reply will follow the debate. This session will begin at 10h00 and will also be streamed live on GPL’s social media platforms.
ISSUED BY THE GPL’S COMMUNICATION UNIT ON BEHALF OF THE SPEAKER HON. MORAKANE MOSUPYOE.
