By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde delivered the 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Conville Community Hall in George on Wednesday 25 February.
In his address, Winde emphasised that economic growth and job creation are the primary focus of his government.
“Growth and jobs are the cornerstone of that vision,” Winde said.
He said the province’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average of 31.4%, but added that it is still too high and should not be celebrated. He said the next target is to reduce unemployment to 10%.
One of the new measures he announced was the broadening of the province’s collaboration with public transport companies for its “jobseeker travel voucher”. This was to help potential employees to get to interviews without the stress of worrying about the high costs of transport.
Winde said: “Building on the success of the Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme in Cape Town, I am delighted to announce that this will expand to George this year, including residents of Thembalethu, Pacaltsdorp, Blanco and Lawaaikamp.”
The premier said, “His government remains committed to working even harder in building the province’s economic foundation through stable governance, fiscal discipline, and by attracting more investment to this region.”
One of the major problems Winde addressed was crime. In his State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the deployment of the South African National Defence Force to help support police in the fight against gangsterism in the Western Cape.
Winde, who has long called for this, said: “While we are cautiously supportive of the military deployment, it is surely an admission of the SAPS leadership’s failure to combat crime effectively.”
Organised crime, including extortion and firearm-driven violence continues to place immense pressure on vulnerable neighbourhoods.
Winde said the latest quarterly crime statistics for the Western Cape once again show that a complete reform of South Africa’s policing system and proper funding for law enforcement agencies are needed to meaningfully reduce violent crime. The debate and reply to the Sopa will take place on Thursday.