The cost of hosting the State of the Province address in Upington is estimated to be around R1 million.
THE COST of hosting the State of the Province address (Sopa) in Upington is estimated to be in the region of R1 million.
The event will be held at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington on Thursday, where 1,000 people are expected to attend.
The guest list includes members of the Northern Cape Council of Provinces, the business sector, the religious sector, government stakeholders and entities, municipal mayors and Speakers, and invitees from the political parties represented in the legislature.
Additional costs of hosting the event outside of Kimberley include transport, accommodation of guests and their partners who will be attending, catering, subsistence allowances and telecommunications, as well as the sourcing of items that were not readily available in Upington.
The spokesperson for the Office of the Speaker, Mpho Masina, said that this was the first time that Sopa would be held outside Kimberley.
“The legislature strives to host rotational house sittings in the various districts of the Province, so as to bring the legislature closer to its people,” said Masina.
She added that the main cost drivers for this year were telecommunications and live streaming of the event to ensure that a wide audience was able to listen in on the proceedings.
“Some items that were not available in Upington had to be sourced from outside, although no escalated costs were incurred that required any tenders to be advertised,” said Masina.
“The events logistics were organised by the legislature, no external service provider was sourced.”
Masina stated that a marquee tent would be erected to accommodate the large event.
“Members of the provincial legislature (MPLs) have been allocated 10 invitees to accompany them.”
