The Free State Legislature is preparing for the opening of the Legislature (OL) for the 7th Administration. Preparations are in full swing.
The event, scheduled for Thursday (7/8), will take place at Bloemfontein City Hall and will mark the maiden speech of newly elected Prime Minister MaQueen Letsoha Mathae.
Free State Legislature Secretary Joseph Machaka confirmed that preparations are going smoothly and assured the media at a briefing on Friday (2/8) that “all systems are running smoothly” for the upcoming ceremony. The previous legislature opening, held in Qwaqwa earlier this year, cost about R5 million. Machaka said R2.5 million has been budgeted for the upcoming OL.
The ceremony will have a smaller turnout compared to the previous event, with 600 guests expected, down from the more than 1,000 in attendance at Qwaqwa. Machaka said the legislature is operating on a tight budget, especially since the budget vote has yet to be approved.
He indicated that the accreditation of guests will be strictly controlled and non-transferable, with categories such as international guests, provincial speakers, business representatives, MPLs, executive mayors, municipal speakers, church leaders, people with disabilities, youth representatives, traditional leadership, political party representatives, directors general, heads of departments, government agencies and the media.
To ensure safety and a smooth process, more than 400 Free State officials, including police officers, traffic officers and emergency medical services, will be present on and around the venue.
‘Mathae’s speech expected to address pressing issues’
Cars are searched at the legislature headquarters, the Fourth Council Hall in Bloemfontein, and at the parking areas near the Macufe Arts Exhibition.
The OL will give Mathae the opportunity to outline her government’s priorities for the year ahead. Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent opening address at the opening of Parliament, Mathae is expected to address pressing issues in her speech, including high unemployment rates, the poor state of municipalities and strategies to combat irregular and fruitless spending.
OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi my god
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