Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane to table SOPA in the Provincial Legislature
It is all systems go as Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane prepares to deliver the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in the Provincial Legislature on Friday, 1 March 2024. SOPA is an annual report that highlights the performance of the Provincial Government based on stated plans and objectives for the period under review.
The 2024 SOPA marks the last stretch of the 6th administration and paves the way for the next administration, post elections to be held on the 29th of May 2024. An outcome of socio- economic studies undertaken by reputable research institutions such as Stats SA, preceded the SOPA. These studies suggest the following:
- That Mpumalanga’s population has increased to five point one (5.1) million by 2022 from four million in 2011;
- That the province’s contribution to the GDP nationally is R1 155 billion;
- That 48 000 people were employed in various sectors by the end of quarter 3 in 2023, in a province where the official expanded unemployment rate is at 35,5%;
- That the province is endowed with investment opportunities in the energy sector, amid plans by the Provincial Government to reduce carbon emissions by 26 percent by the year 2025.
It is envisaged that SOPA will provide a way forward in response to the implications of these studies, which also depict a growth in the number of households with access to basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity. Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane says Mpumalanga is on a developmental path and SOPA is key to elaborate the extent of the path. She urges citizens to use SOPA as an opportunity to participate in the development initiatives of Mpumalanga.
SOPA proceedings will be shared in the following platforms:
- Live broadcast on Ligwalagwala FM, Community Stations and Rise FM from 09h30;
- Channel 408 (on Dstv);
- YouTube channel and Facebook pages of the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and the Mpumalanga Legislature.
Enquiries:
George Mthethwa
Cell: 083 302 2774
Paul Mbenyane
Cell: 079 776 3491
