SOPA 2026: Patrick Botto, Anton van den Berg, Yvonne Labuschagne, Exec Mayor Browen Johnson, Deputy Speaker Reagen Allen, Premier Alan Winde), Speaker Daylin Mitchell, Tracy Winde, Exec Mayor Marais Kruger, Secretary Ressida Begg & Blanche Benjamin
The Official Opening ceremony of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP) took place at the Conville Community Hall in George earlier this evening. Premier Alan Winde delivered his 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA) during the sitting.
In his SOPA, Premier Winde stated, "At the tip of Africa, there is place that works for its residents. This is our Western Cape, a place at the tip of Africa where we are getting it done! In 2026, we are laser-focused on growing our province's economy to create even more jobs."
After the adjournment, Speaker Daylin Mitchell, who presided over the proceedings, said: “It was a privilege to host the sixth remotely hosted Official Opening of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament in the beautiful Garden Route today. With the hosting of this event in the Garden Route tonight, we have come full circle with our commitment to take parliament closer to the people; we’ve now hosted this event in all districts of the Western Cape. Another highlight was to have this remote parliamentary event in the same hall that hosted the WCPP’s first ever remote sitting 22 years ago, the Conville Community Hall here in George. I am looking forward to tomorrow’s sitting during which political parties will have the opportunity to debate the Premier’s State of the Province Address. Thereafter the Premier will respond to the issues raised in the debate.”
The footage of the event can be viewed at: https://www.wcpp.gov.za/?q=node/20099
Click here to download a copy of the Premier’s State of the Province Address (SOPA).
The debate on the Premier’s State of the Province Address (SOPA) and the Premier’s reply to the debate will take place at the same venue tomorrow, Thursday 26 February. The links to the livestreams for these events are:
Link to SOPA debate livestream, 26 February, 08:00: https://www.wcpp.gov.za/?q=node/20100
Link to the Premier’s reply to the SOPA debate livestream, 26 February, 12:00: https://www.wcpp.gov.za/?q=node/20101
