BY: TANA MALINGA
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature will officially open its 2026 programme with the State of the Province Address (SOPA) scheduled for Monday, 23 February 2026 at the Nasrec Expo Centre.
The sitting will be presided over by Speaker Morakane Mosupyoe, who will host Premier Panyaza Lesufi as he delivers the annual address outlining government priorities and plans for the year ahead.
SOPA serves as a constitutional platform for the Premier to reflect on the province’s achievements and challenges, while setting policy direction and service delivery priorities. The address also marks the formal opening of the provincial legislature’s oversight and law-making programme for 2026.
In preparation for the event, a media networking and accreditation session was held on 19 February at The Capital on the Park in Sandton. The session enabled media representatives to collect accreditation tags and engage with legislature officials to coordinate coverage of the official opening.
Media who did not collect their accreditation at the networking session are required to do so between Thursday, 19 February and Sunday, 22 February, from 09:00 to 16:00 at Johanneesburg City Hall. No accreditation collection will be permitted at the venue on the day of SOPA. Since the accreditation process includes on-site photo verification, third-party collection is not allowed, and applicants must present valid identification when collecting their credentials.
Premier Lesufi is expected to review progress made over the past year and outline key interventions aimed at strengthening service delivery, accelerating economic growth, and addressing socio-economic challenges affecting Gauteng residents.
The SOPA remains a key fixture on the provincial governance calendar, providing insight into government priorities while setting the tone for policy implementation and accountability in the year ahead.
