By 
The date has been set, the Free State Province Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae will deliver the State of the Province Address (SOPA) during the Opening of the Free State Legislature on Friday, 20 February 2026; anchored on the theme: “Year of Decisive Action to Fix Local Government and Transform the Economy.”
The Premier will highlight progress made with regard to the projects undertaken since last year and provide details of how the Provincial Government will continue to lift the lives of the Free Staters and create the much-needed jobs.
In her previous SOPA at the Lemo Green Park in Bloemfontein, Letsoha-Mathae outlined the ambitions of the province, which included growing the economy of the province. At the time, given the country’s upward economic trajectory and the activities of the Free State to attract investment, the Premier said the Free State economy is projected to grow by 1.6%.
Letsoha-Mathae further committed to fighting the high rate of unemployment in the province, at the time, Free State had a 37.9% unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2024. However, she remained optimistic that her administration will turn the tide around.
As part of fighting unemployment, she said through phase 5 of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), they will be able to create 30 115 employment opportunities.
Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae also committed to supporting Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the province. At that time, she said:
“Our commitment to SMMEs development is unwavering. There is no doubt that these are the basis of our inclusive growth and job creation. Our partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages continues to yield positive results with fourteen spaza shops in Qwaqwa and 26 in Mangaung supported with refurbishments. Through our partnership with the National Youth Development Agency, 32 businesses owned by young people received financial support.
The Botshabelo Digital Hub also received financial support to ensure sustained business and digital skills provision to young people. This is deliberate. We want only the best for our youth. They are the future. The Basic Coding skills offered enable entrepreneurs to develop programmes, software applications and websites to enhance efficiency.”
Amongst many other projects to take on, the Premier also took on a daunting task of fixing the road network of the province, focusing on some routes that are essential to the economy of the province.
During her address she said, “Efficient road infrastructure is important for development. Highways, railways and access roads connect people, cities, towns and rural areas as well as enhancing prospects of economic opportunities. As a result, R1.9 billion was invested in the construction, upgrading and maintenance of our road infrastructure. We are inspiring confidence to bolster growth and development. And time will be the judge of our work.”
The roads focused on were as follows:
- Zastron – Sterkspruit
• Rosendal – Ficksburg
• Jacobsdal – Koffiefontein
• Koffiefontein – Luckhoff – Havenga Bridge
• Harrismith SEZ, and
• Viljoenskroon – Orkney
As much the Premier will be giving an update on these projects; MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae is faced with a new challenge of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the Free State that has now reached 238 confirmed cases. Farmers and the livestock industry at large will be listening with keen interest on what interventions will be implemented.
