2026 OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE AND THE STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS (SOPA)

2026 OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE KWAZULU-NATAL LEGISLATURE AND THE STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS (SOPA)

In keeping with our practice in KwaZulu-Natal, this year’s Official Opening of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature will take place over two days. The first day is dedicated to the Official Address to the Legislature by His Majesty King Misuzulu KaZwelithini who will deliver his message to the Members to mark the beginning of the Third Session of the Seventh KwaZulu-Natal Legislature. This is the 3rd official address by His Majesty under the government of provincial unity, and it is crucial in building and strengthening unity and cohesion in the province.

The second day is dedicated to the State of the Province Address (SOPA) by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Hon. AT Ntuli, who will outline the programme of action and priorities for the provincial government to be implemented during the current year (2026).

This year’s two-day event will be held at the Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg. The decision to hold this session away from the Legislature precinct in the Pietermaritzburg CBD is primarily informed by space constraints in our chamber which cannot accommodate all the guests and the public. The current Legislature chamber can only accommodate 120 people in the public gallery, which will not cover the number of guests that attend the Official Opening of the Legislature.

These have been scheduled to take place as follows:

Dates:

26 February 2026 : Official Address by His Majesty King Misuzulu KaZwelithini,

27 February 2026: State of the Province Address (SOPA) by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Hon. AT Ntuli

Venue: Woodburn Rugby Stadium, Pietermaritzburg Time: 09H00

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the proceedings on both days. Media accreditation will be done as follows:

· 24 February 2026: Media briefing at the Public Works Offices Boardroom in Mayville, Durban from 14h00.

· 25 February 2026: Legislature Administration Building (Albertina Sisulu Building) from 10h00.

· 26 and 27 February 2026: Hosana Church, Woodhouse Road, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg from 8h00 to 9h00.

Issued by the KZN Legislature Communications Unit

For more information contact:

Sina Nxumalo: 0829060449

Wonder Hlongwa: 0829083532

Wesley Canham: 0833767299

Bongani Tembe: 0823272600

Joseph Cubai: 0605344187