The State of the Province Address (SOPA), hosted by the Honourable Speaker, is important for the People of the Province as it covers not only the political and socio-economic state of the province, but also it addresses all service delivery commitments of GPG for the year ahead.

The Premier also highlights the previous year’s achievements and challenges, detailing corrective measures identified and undertaken to tackle the challenges and sharing lessons learnt over the past year.  GPL hosts the Premier on behalf of the people of Gauteng.

The Premier’s presentation, i.e., GPG’s service delivery plan of action for the year ahead essentially serves as GPL’s oversight agenda for that year. It sets the basis of what GPL will hold Gauteng Provincial Departments accountable for – to ensure that service delivery is realised in the province.

One of the key functions of GPL is to encourage and facilitate wide public participation to ensure that the Legislature responds directly to the needs of Gauteng People. The People of Gauteng should actively influence the decisions that their elected Political Representatives make on their behalf.

The theme for the SOPA is “30 Years of Democracy, Partnership and Growth”

Each year the Speaker of the Legislature hosts SOPA not only to uphold democratic principle and values, but also as a platform for the State of the Province Address that is delivered to the people of Gauteng by the Premier.   The State of the Province Address in turn marks the official Opening of the Legislature each year.

 The Opening therefore provides a platform for the Premier to give feedback to the people of Gauteng on the provincial government’s achievements and progress in fulfilling its commitments as well as outlining key priorities and commitments for the year ahead and the remainder of the five-year term of office.