Declaring 2026 the “Year of Decisive Action to Fix Local Government and Transform the Economy,” Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae delivered an ambitious State of the Province Address before the Free State Legislature, outlining plans to drive inclusive growth, reduce poverty and stabilise struggling municipalities.

But while the speech painted a picture of progress and renewed urgency, opposition parties have questioned whether the province is addressing its most fundamental weaknesses.

The Premier reported that over 46,000 work opportunities were created through the Expanded Public Works Programme, exceeding initial targets. The province is currently tracking 29 renewable energy projects valued at more than R100 billion, positioning the Free State as a key player in South Africa’s energy transition.

Unemployment, however, remains stubbornly high fluctuating between 36% and 37% in recent quarters.

While government projects improved economic growth to 1.85%, many residents continue to grapple with rising living costs, limited opportunities and service delivery backlogs.

Perhaps the most pressing admission in the address was the state of local government. Seven municipalities remain under Section 139 intervention, including Matjhabeng and Mafube.

The Premier acknowledged ongoing governance failures, financial mismanagement and instability in several councils, pledging intensified oversight and consequence management.

But critics argue that financial discipline must come first.

In an interview with Free State Sun, Democratic Alliance Member of the Legislature, Werner Pretorius, said the province needs to “go back to basics.”

Pretorius pointed to audit outcomes as a major concern, noting that only three of the province’s departments achieved clean audits in the latest financial year and that no municipality received a clean audit outcome.

“You cannot speak about transformation and decisive action,” he said, “when financial management remains weak. Improved financial management at both provincial and local government level will directly translate into improved service delivery.”

He further stressed that strengthening governance at municipal level would not only stabilise water and electricity provision in struggling areas, but also improve investor confidence.