Bhisho is abuzz with activities this week as officials from the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature and Premier’s office put final touches to preparations for the State of the Province Address (SoPA). The SoPA will be delivered by Eastern Cape Premier Ms Noxolo Kiviet on Friday, 17 February 2012. The SoPA signals the official opening of the Provincial Legislature for the current year and Premier Kiviet will at 11h00 address all the citizens of the Eastern Cape and outline key priorities and programmes of government for 2012.
Premier Kiviet is expected to recommit her government to improved and faster service delivery in all priority areas of government in order to bring about a better life for all Eastern Cape citizens. She is also likely to highlight the achievements of government in the past year and challenges faced by government during that period. Amongst high profile guests expected to attend both events include Members of Parliament, diplomats, and business leaders, religious leaders, and mayors.
In keeping with government’s commitment to facilitate public participation in all its activities, the public in all Districts will be able to watch the SoPA in big screens. A live radio transmission of the speech will be carried on Umhlobo Wenene FM, Tru-FM, and Community Radio Stations. DSTV Channel 408 will also broadcast the speech live from 9h00. The Live video streaming of the SoPA will be available on the following social networks: Facebook, Flickr, and later on You Tube: http://ecprov.ndstream.net/
The media is invited to attend the SoPA and will receive their accreditation at the Good News Church in King Williams Town where a media lock up will be held from 6h45.
- 6h45 - 7h15 Registration of the media for the media lock-up at the Good News Church in King William's Town
- 7h00 - 7h15 Arrival of Premier & MECs at the media lock-up at Good News Church
- 7h15 - 8h15 Media lock-up commences at Good News Church
- 8h15-08h45 Breakfast for media served at Good News Church
- 8h50 - 9h15 MECs depart to the foyer situated in front of the Raymond Mhlaba Chamber
- 9h00 - 9h10 MPLs arrive and proceed to the Chamber foyer
- 9h15 - 9h20 MECs join MPLs for light refreshments in the foyer
- 9h20 - 9h30 Premier departs Good News Church and meets the SAPS horse parade at the main Legislature complex gate. Proceed to entrance in front of Raymond Mhlaba Chamber
- 9h30 - 10h00 Premier inspects and takes salute at the military parade. MECs & MPLs invited to observe inspection and salute
- 10h00 - 10h30 MECs and MPLs proceed to the formal holding room in the tent near the Chamber tent. Premier & Speaker proceed to Speaker's holding room in tent close to the Chamber tent
- 10h45 - 10h50 MECs and MPLs proceed to the Chamber tent
- 10h45 – 10h50 Serjeant-at –Arms rings the bell
- 10h50-10h55 Serjeant-at-Arms leads Speaker and Premier into the Chamber tent.
Imbongi
- 11h00 - 12h00 Premier delivers the State of the Province Address (SoPA).
Imbongi
- 12h05 - 12h10 The Serjeant-at-Arms leads the Speaker & Premier from the Chamber tent to the Speaker's holding room in the tent.
- 12h10 TheSpeaker, MECs, MPLs, NCOP Delegates and red category guests proceed to the catering tent for lunch following the closure of the official proceedings
- 12h15 The blue & green category guests are invited to the lunch tent
- 12h05 - 12h20 OTP & Communication staff collects the Premier & Speaker from the Speaker's holding room tent and proceed to the live broadcast studio (tent situated next to the Chamber tent)
- 12h25 - 12h30 Premier proceeds to the catering tent for lunch.
Entertainment
- 12h30 Lunch is served
- Guests depart to their respective homes.
For more information contact:
Hlanga Mafani
Cell: 082 440 7949
