​Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura will deliver his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Tuesday, February 23 in Johannesburg. This address will be the third Makhura's address since the beginning of the 6 administration in 2019. 
This year unlike the previous years, there will be no guests and the glitz and glamour that is synonymous with the occasion due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 SOPA will take the form of a hybrid session with the Premier, Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and a limited number of Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) attending the session physically while the rest of MPLs will be joining virtually.
Gauteng residents will be able to follow the proceedings and watch the speech on SABC television and radio stations and Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) digital platforms.
The Premier will outline the provincial government's priorities for 2021, including intensifying the fight against COVID-19, reigniting Gauteng's economic reconstruction and recovery and providing support and social relief to those affected by pandemics of COVID-19 and Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
Meanwhile, some members of the public who are looking forward to the event, say they want to hear more about the country's economic recovery given the challenges brought about by COVID-19.
Teekay Letsie from Meadowlands said as a young person living in the area, he hopes the Premier's speech will address job opportunities people are resorting to the wrong things like drug abuse and teenage pregnancy which is prevalent in his area.
"Everywhere you look there are people, of all professions and trades crying out for employment. Of these, the future generation of our workforce – the youth, are hardest hit. People also need to be educated on many social issues. I hope the Premier's speech creates awareness about these ills," said Letsie.