By: Mpho Sekharume
The Free State Legislature, spearheaded by Speaker Mxolisi Dukwana, convened its second annual Speaker’s Forum at the Golden Gate National Park on Thursday, 5 March 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the province’s commitment to administrative excellence.
This strategic gathering brought together municipal speakers from across the province under the theme of ‘Strengthening Municipal Governance, Legal Capacity, and Digital Transformation’ in anticipation of the upcoming elections.
By fostering an environment of collaborative learning and shared responsibility, the forum serves as a progressive platform designed to elevate standards of accountability and enhance public participation through modern technological integration. In an exclusive interview with Journal News on the sidelines of the event yesterday, Dukwana explained that the Speaker’s Forum was a necessary space for leaders to align their efforts for the benefit of all citizens.
“The constitution of the country expects us to collaborate and work together in ensuring that proper services are rendered to our people,” Dukwana said
“So, you can’t do that without working together to ensure that accountability, proper and effective public participation happens, we need to share good practices, and we need to share knowledge and advise one another on how we can carry on with our responsibilities without fear or favour. That is why we are here,” he added.
The forum, which concludes today, 6 March 2026, is actively seeking to redefine the scope of a Speaker’s influence, moving beyond the traditional perception of merely presiding over council meet CENTLEC (SOC) Ltd commenced a 60-day General Amnesty on meter tampering, illegal connections and unauthorised meter shifts.
This initiative invites consumers who have engaged in meter tampering, illegal connections, or unauthorised shifting of meter boxes to voluntarily disclose to normalise their status without facing the standard punitive penalties or prosecution. Champion Runner Dijana Trades Finish Line for Service at NWU Page 15 The Vision Behind Winnie’s Palace Page 5 ings. Dukwana challenged his colleagues to embrace a more robust oversight role, noting that their responsibilities extend far beyond the gavel - particularly regarding financial monitoring and Section 71 reports.
“Over time, we have seen that the role of the Speakers, especially in the municipal councils, is only seen as chairing councils and nothing more. But we have a very important role – especially when it comes to Section 71 reports. Their responsibility within the council is not only because the constitution demands that we have accountable councils…and that is what we need to do,” he stressed.
