Constitutional and Legislative Context

The Premier of the province, in accordance with section110(2) of the Constitution of the Republic, supplemented by Rule 31 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the Free State Legislature, makes provision for the Premier to summon the Legislature to an extraordinary sitting at any time to conduct special business. The Legislature, in compliance to the above, hereby invokes Rule 11 of its Standing Rules and Orders to convene the plenary of the House for Official Opening of the Legislature for 2026-27 financial year scheduled to convene as follows:

Date: Friday, 20 February 2026.

Time: 10h00

Venue: Old Grey Sports Ground, Bloemfontein

That occasion will be a platform for the Premier of the province, Hon. MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae, to present the State of the Province Address, known as SOPA. The sole purpose of SOPA is to enable the Premier to highlight the provincial government performance for 2025-26 financial year and outlines provincial government policy priorities, legislative programmes and service delivery commitments for the financial year 2026/2027.
The SOPA is a key instrument of executive accountability, enabling Members of the Legislature, the media and the public to assess government’s performance against constitutional obligations and policy goals.
The plenary will be presided over by the Speaker of the Legislature, Hon. Mxolisi Dukwana.

In line with the Legislature’s commitment to openness, transparency and media access to its business, a pre-SOPA briefing to and interaction session with the media to provide content and context of the sitting, including logistical arrangements of the sitting is scheduled to convene as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Time: 10h30
Venue: 6th Floor, Southern Life Plaza, Bloemfontein

Accreditation and Access

Online Registration Deadline: 16 February 2026