The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has called for costs relating to the State of the Province (SOPA) event to be curbed going forward. This after the recent three-day event cost the province’s taxpayers R3.7million despite serious service delivery challenges.
The annual occasion, held in Msunduzi, currently sees the Kings’ Address, the Premier’s State of the Province Address (SOPA), and the SOPA debate all being held on different days.
The DA’s call for a cost-cutting event also comes after the DA-led Western Cape held its own SOPA at a total overall cost of R252 000 – proving that it can be done at a fraction of the cost.
KZN’s SOPA can be condensed into two days. We acknowledge and respect His Majesty the Zulu King, Misuzulu kaZwelithini’s right to this platform – as provided for within the Legislature Rules – and our proposal is that a day be dedicated to his address with a further day for both the Premiers SOPA and the SOPA debate to take place.
Further cost-cutting measures proposed by the DA include;
• SOPA being held at Legislature – with additional marquees set up on the premises – rather than at a hired venue. This was done successfully a few years ago and will immediately eliminate the venue hire fee and vastly reducing costs related to hiring enormous marquees and providing outside catering
• A Legislature-held event would also reduce the number of security personnel required and reduce the burden on SAPS and municipal protection services given the provincial parliament’s location and reduced size of the event and;
• Limiting the number of guests to only those that are essential to reduce travel, accommodation and meal costs which are all currently borne by the Legislature for a large number invited guests.
It is clear that the amount being spent on SOPA needs to be closely monitored. R3.7million is enough money to replace the ceilings of 370 classrooms in rural schools. This fact cannot be ignored.
The DA will raise the issue of current SOPA expenditure at a Standing Committee on Oversight of the Legislature (STACOV) meeting on Wednesday. We will push for a committee resolution in order to obtain a full break-down of expenses so that the highest costs can be established and curbed going forward.
KZN’s provincial parliament claims to be an activist, people-centred Legislature. The DA will fight to ensure this critical mandate is upheld and to ensure that public funds are spent in a manner that benefits our citizens.