Today, Premier Alan Winde delivered his opening address at the first sitting of the 7th Western Cape Provincial Parliament, focusing on economic growth, job creation, and other key priorities.
Economic Growth and Job Creation
Premier Winde emphasized the importance of job creation as the foundation for a prosperous province.
He highlighted the Western Cape Government’s efforts to make it easier for the private sector to create jobs, noting that 74.6% of households derive their income from salaries. Initiatives like the Red Tape Reduction Unit have saved the economy R2.4 billion over the past five years by easing business operations.
The SMME Booster Fund has supported hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises, sustaining thousands of jobs.
The Growth For Jobs (G4J) strategy is showing promising outcomes, aiming to reduce the unemployment rate below 20%.
Winde urged the national government to prioritize private investment opportunities for the Port of Cape Town, crucial for the province’s agricultural exports.
Infrastructure Development
Infrastructure development remains a core priority, with plans to invest R32.12 billion in fixed assets, catalytic growth projects, and agricultural infrastructure over the next three years.
This investment is expected to generate 103,000 jobs, 61% of which will be for semi and unskilled employment.
Notable projects include the R250 million N7 Refinery Interchange and the R640 million Malmesbury Bypass upgrades.
Skills Development
The Premier stressed the importance of equipping residents, especially youth, with skills for the job market. The Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme has supported young people in pursuing infrastructure-related studies.
The YearBeyond Programme has benefitted over 10,000 unemployed young people, preparing them for future careers.
The Jobseekers Travel Voucher initiative connects job seekers with potential employers by offering free travel to interviews.
Energy Security
Winde says the province is committed to ensuring an affordable, decarbonized, and reliable energy supply.
The Western Cape Energy Resilience programme has added 743 MW of capacity in 2023/24, with 2,000 MW in development.
The Alternative Energy Support Programme has installed 12 solar backup systems at municipal SMME trading hubs.
Premier Winde highlighted the importance of addressing the constrained national transmission and distribution networks to prevent load-shedding.
Tourism as a Job Enabler
Tourism remains a key sector for job creation. Tourist arrivals to Cape Town increased by 16% year-on-year between January and March 2024.
The Cape Town Air Access project has introduced new airlines and routes, significantly boosting the local economy. Each 100 international visitors contribute R2.1 million in direct tourist spending, R500,000 to GDP, and create two local jobs.
Innovation and Technology
Innovation is central to the government’s approach, with advancements in the health sector, law enforcement, and social services.
Robotic surgeries have been performed at Tygerberg and Groote Schuur Hospitals, drones have been provided to law enforcement, and the Social Work Integrated Management System (SWIMS) app has been launched to support social workers.
Addressing Vulnerability and Climate Change
Premier Winde acknowledged the challenges posed by climate change, emphasizing the need for efficient disaster response and sustainable resource management.
The Western Cape Integrated Drought and Water Resilience Plan aims to ensure water security.
Investment in disaster management systems has proven effective, with quick responses to recent disasters.
Cooperative Governance and Accountability
The Western Cape Government is committed to cooperative governance while holding national government accountable.
Financial sustainability is a critical focus, with efforts to secure fair funding allocations and explore alternative revenue streams.
Premier Winde concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to economic growth, job creation, and addressing the needs of residents. He called for collective effort and renewed purpose to ensure the province’s success in the face of challenges.
