No word on costs as Bhisho readies for premier's address

[caption id="attachment_38314" align="alignright" width="405"] GOING UP: Preparations ahead of today's state of the province address in Bhisho[/caption]

THE stage is set for newly appointed Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle to deliver his maiden state of the province address (Sopa) at the Bhisho legislature today.

A "tent village" comprising eight marquees has sprung up on the legislature grounds and it is from one of these that the new premier is expected to deliver his maiden address to more than 1200 guests.

This will be the second Sopa delivered this year after former premier Noxolo Kiviet, now legislature speaker, spoke in February.

Legislature spokesman Veli- sile Bukula yesterday refused to divulge the financial costs for the address, but it is understood the half-day event will cost provincial taxpayers more than R3-million.

Bukula said he was unable to respond and could only comment on issues of financial costs after Sopa.

Kiviet's February address reportedly cost taxpayers about R2.9-million.

The money was spent on hiring seven tents, catering and for entertaining invited guests. The tents and sound alone cost R1.8-million.

For the past four years the event has been hosted on the legislature grounds, costing the government more than R10-million over that time.

This is despite the provincial government spending R13-million revamping the provincial legislature chambers three years ago, increasing the seating capacity to 600.

Bukula refused to reveal the names of some of the invited guests or those who would be providing entertainment. He said Masualle's day would start with a media briefing in King William's Town where members of the media would be given a chance to interact with him and his MECs.

He said various radio stations would broadcast Masualle's address live while roads leading to the legislature would be closed to other motorists between 7am and 11.30am.

One of the eight air-conditioned tents will be used as a legislature chamber for Masualle to deliver his speech while another will be used as a dining area and has a stage for a jazz band.

A third tent is for members of the provincial legislature, while the media and performers also have their own tents.

The colour theme draped in the tents is cream, black and gold. Meals will include rice, samp, beef, chicken, mutton, two vegetables and two kinds of salads, and cold beverages will be available.

Yesterday morning, Masualle was spotted at the legislature grounds rehearsing with SA Police Service members who will be doing a parade before his speech.

Bukula – who had previously warned Times Media against taking pictures in the legislature, saying it would compromise security as the institution was a national security keypoint – yesterday refused to allow a photographer to take pictures while final preparations were being conducted. - Asanda Nini