“All invited guests, members of the legislature and the community in attendance will enjoy the same menu, with no unnecessary trimmings.”
AROUND 3 000 people are expected to attend this year’s low-key State of the Province Address, set to take place on Thursday.
Northern Cape Legislature Speaker Newrene Klaaste said yesterday that preparations for the official opening of the second session of the 6th Legislature were well under way.
“Just over 3 000 attendees will be present at the event where the Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, will deliver the State of the Province Address (Sopa) to the Northern Cape community.
“In his address, the premier is expected to further elaborate on his vision of creating a modern and growing and successful Province.”
Among the guests expected to attend will be foreign dignitaries, business fraternity, the religious sector, non-government organisations, members of the community bused-in from all five districts (Namaqua, John Taolo Gaetsewe, Pixley ka Seme, ZF Mgcawu and Frances Baard).
“The targeted number of people who will be in attendance has since doubled to over 3 000 over the past year,” Klaaste added.
“Due to capacity constraints, over the years the Sopa has been held at an external venue, largely due to capacity and cost-saving mechanisms. The current venue (Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre) offers a one-stop service, and is thus favourable to accommodate an event of this magnitude.”
Klaaste added that there would be no exaggerated “VIP” treatment, “yet we will still keep to the decorum of the occasion”.
“All invited guests, members of the legislature and the community in attendance will enjoy the same menu, with no unnecessary trimmings.”
Klaaste added that while preparing for a cost-effective and successful event, the legislature was mindful that costs related to transporting of members of the public from all corners of the vast Province and accommodation largely contributed to the expenditure of the event. “However, we will not compromise on ferrying our community to witness this significant occasion.”
She added that the premier’s address would also be broadcast on all community radio stations in the Province, despite the huge costs involved.
“The Sopa presents a rare occasion where the three arms of government, that is the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, come under one roof. This signifies how all three arms of government are important towards the realisation of our priorities as organs of state striving for a common purpose of serving the Northern Cape community.
“We anticipate an event that will be valued by all our attendees. Any eventualities related to procedural arrangements will be dealt with in accordance with the rules of the legislature.”
