Saul’s Sopa address postponed
THE STATE of the Province address (Sopa) has been postponed to March 2, upon the request of Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul.
The annual opening of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature (NCPL) was originally scheduled to take place yesterday.
The secretary to the legislature, Patrick Moopelwa, said yesterday that the allocated budget for this year’s event is R500 000, less than half of the R1.2 million that was spent on last year’s Sopa.
“Due to the fact that the Sopa will be held at the legislature precinct, it should be taken into consideration that 70 percent of the funds will be utilised to improve the ICT technology and infrastructure at the chambers as the proceedings will be on the virtual platform. This is to ensure that a quality live stream is provided for the Sopa on all the platforms, which include radio, television broadcast and the use of live social media links. This is to ensure that all the citizens of the Province can access the premier’s address on a platform available to them,” said Moopelwa.
He added that expenses included catering for the 50 guests attending the proceedings, satellite services, radio broadcast, television feed, production services and live streaming services.
“No invitation cards were printed, in-house photographic services will be utilised and there is no additional cost for accommodation and transport as regional delegates will be provided with the necessary data.”
NCPL Speaker Newrene Klaaste said the sitting would take place at the assembly area at the legislature precinct and only 50 people would be allowed inside the venue, in line with Covid-19 precautions.
“Those attending the proceedings include 30 Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLS), Northern Cape High Court Judge President Pule Tlaletsi and a limited number of assisting officials and media. The remainder of MPLS will participate through the virtual platform,” said Klaaste.
She said that Saul was expected to highlight the provincial government’s service delivery action plan for the year ahead, as well as the political, social and economic state of the Northern Cape Province, and the provincial government’s service delivery commitments.
The proceedings can be followed on the following platforms:
- Live stream the Sopa proceedings on NCPL website https:// www.ncpleg.gov.za/
- Live Stream the Sopa proceedings on NCPL Youtube Channel and Facebook Page
- Watch Sopa 2021 live on Parliament TV (DSTV408)
- Northern Cape community radio stations
- The @NCPLPROVLEG Facebook Page
- Click of the QR Link which is currently being advertised on all our social media, the link will be active one hour before the time on February 25 at 5pm
- Listen live on the NCPL Radio APP https://app-2208.iono.fm/
* All public enquiries can be sent to the NCPL Whatsapp mobile number: 061 144 7548
CITY residents are in the process of establishing a ratepayers’ association in response to a growing list of service delivery complaints and dissatisfaction over Sol Plaatje Municipality’s ability to address these issues.
The Kimberley Water Disaster community group was established in response to the city’s latest water crisis, where a number of residents were left without water for several days on end.
The group’s co-ordinator,
Tumelo Mosikare, said yesterday that the community organisation would partner with the ratepayers’ association to respond to service delivery issues in the Sol Plaatje municipal district, including Kimberley, Ritchie and Riverton.
“We have received an overwhelming response from ratepayers for the community to take matters into our own hands and repair the city. We already have 1 260 members - including businesspeople and residents - and it is growing by the day. We have set up Whatsapp groups in each area to improve communication and some have already organised cleaning operations in their neighbourhoods. For now, we are concentrating on addressing the water issue. Once we succeed, we will move on to other matters including potholes, leaking sewage and littering,” said Mosikare.
He pointed out, however, that the municipality still had an obligation to do its work, even if volunteers were assisting in restoring the city.
“Retired engineers and residents with a technical background have agreed to team up and volunteer their services. While the water has been restored, it will only be a matter of time before we hit another snag.”
Mosikare added that they were in the process of developing a cellphone app to report service delivery complaints.
“We are also looking at drawing up a petition and registering a voluntary association, as it needs to be handed in by an organisation with legal standing if we wish to use it as evidence in a court of law.”