Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has positioned economic growth, job creation and social cohesion at the centre of his 2026 State of the Province Address, describing the province as a place “where we get things done” despite mounting national challenges.

Opening his address with vivid imagery celebrating the province’s landscapes, culture and diversity, Winde described the Western Cape as a region defined by resilience, innovation and shared identity, from Karoo night skies to Cape Malay heritage and the growing technology sector known as the “Silicon Cape”.

But beyond the poetic introduction, the Premier delivered a clear political and economic message: unity and practical governance are essential as residents face rising living costs, crime and economic pressure.

Call for kindness and unity

Winde used the speech to appeal for social cohesion amid increasing political division and polarisation locally and globally.

He warned against politics driven by anger and misinformation, urging residents to prioritise “genuine and meaningful acts of kindness” that bring communities together.

“The last few years have been tough for many people across South Africa,” he said, citing failing infrastructure, unemployment pressures and crime as key concerns affecting households.

Economic “green shoots” emerging

The Premier argued that economic conditions are beginning to stabilise nationally following the formation of the Government of National Unity, pointing to lower inflation, declining fuel prices and a stronger rand.

He said the Western Cape is outperforming national trends, with growth projections expected to exceed the country’s average in 2026.

According to figures presented during the address:

• Nearly 90% of South Africa’s net job creation over the past five years occurred in the Western Cape.
• Of 404,712 net jobs created nationally, 360,347 were in the province.
• Provincial unemployment has dropped to 18.1%, significantly below the national rate of 31.4%.

“For every 10 people who got a job in South Africa over the last five years, nine live in the Western Cape,” Winde said.

Jobs as the foundation of dignity

Central to the Premier’s message was the role employment plays in restoring dignity and stabilising communities.

“Nothing fixes a life like a job,” he said, adding that employment not only supports families but also contributes to crime prevention.

Recent employment gains included:

• 48,000 jobs in trade and hospitality
• 22,000 jobs in agriculture
• 22,000 jobs in construction
• 13,000 jobs in manufacturing

Winde linked these gains to governance stability, business confidence and targeted provincial support programmes.

Since 2022, the number of small businesses in the Western Cape has grown by more than 143,000 – a 55% increase, far exceeding national growth levels.

Innovation and investment driving growth

The Premier highlighted several initiatives aimed at strengthening economic competitiveness, including partnerships with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to help small businesses attract investment and technology programmes assisting companies to adopt artificial intelligence.

He also announced progress toward establishing Africa’s first commercial drones and UAV testing sandbox, while noting that components used in roughly 20% of satellites worldwide are manufactured in the province.

Infrastructure and logistics reforms, including improvements to ports and rail networks,  were identified as critical to sustaining economic expansion and easing congestion.

Expanding opportunity through mobility and connectivity

Public transport and digital access were also framed as economic enablers.

The Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme will expand beyond Cape Town to George, helping unemployed residents attend interviews, while free public Wi-Fi, now available at 1,600 sites, has reached nearly six million subscribers.

“These programmes connect people to opportunity,” Winde said, noting that access to transport and internet services can determine whether jobseekers succeed.

Tourism and investment momentum

Tourism continues to play a major role in provincial growth, with more than 11 million passengers passing through Cape Town International Airport in 2025,  its busiest year on record.

International air routes are expanding, and major investments are underway across sectors including green hydrogen, manufacturing, technology, electric vehicles and solar energy.

Five investment projects nearing financial close are expected to inject billions of rand into the provincial economy and create thousands of additional jobs.

A government focused on delivery

Framing the address around a vision of a “government that works for you at every life stage,” Winde said success means safe neighbourhoods, functioning municipalities and reliable infrastructure.

“It is a family around a table, sharing a meal they can comfortably afford in dignified housing,” he said.

He concluded the opening portion of his address by reiterating the province’s core objective: sustained economic growth paired with inclusive development.

“At the tip of Africa,” Winde said, “this is a place where growth enables development, and where we are working and getting things done.”

Read Winde’s FULL SPEECH. 

Strong reactions have emerged from authorities and community structures following a fatal shooting outside a school in Atlantis that claimed the lives of a 14-year-old learner and a scholar taxi driver. 

On Wednesday afternoon, an unknown man approached the taxi driver parked outside Atlantis Secondary School, who police say was waiting for children who were being transported after school had been dismissed.  

The gunman opened fire, killing the driver and a grade 8 learner. Police note that two other female learners, aged 14 and 16, also sustained gunshot wounds.  

Police confirmed that the Taxi Violence Investigations Unit is leading the probe. 

“[Officers] found the body of a 42-year-old male, laying in his vehicle. The deceased sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the back of his body (back and buttocks). The members further found another deceased a 14-year-old female laying inside the school yard. She sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her chest,” said Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain F.C. Van Wyk. 

There are conflicting reports on the exact number of learners injured in the shooting, with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) noting that three learners were injured.

Nonetheless, the department’s Bronagh Hammond condemned the incident and extended the department’s condolences to those affected.  

“This is a shocking and utterly senseless act of violence that has devastated multiple families and an entire school community. The WCED is providing immediate support to the school, including counselling services for learners and staff,” said Hammond.  

Meanwhile, the management of Atlantis Secondary School noted that test and cultural activities scheduled for the coming days had been cancelled, considering the incident.  

The school also urged the local community to avoid speculation or sharing any footage of the incident.  

“This is a very sensitive time for the family, learners, educators, school staff and community. We would appreciate the support from the Atlantis community to support the school community as we believe that a school should be a safe space for learning,” the school’s statement read.  

The City of Cape Town has described the incident as an act of war on innocent communities. Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, said this is “the most unspeakable act ever seen in the long history of taxi industry related violence”.  

He further alluded to another recent fatal shooting, at a taxi rank, in the broader Atlantis region.  

“This comes on the back of armed gunmen opening fire and committing an act of double murder at the taxi rank in Witsand, exposing commuters to abject fear and trauma, it can only be described as terrorism,” said Quintas.  

The Atlantis Community Policing Forum (CPF) confirmed that the school incident is linked to ongoing taxi violence in the area. Spokesperson Noel Cloete shared more on the Witsand incident that occurred a day before.  

“An incident took place on Tuesday 24 February 2026 where 2 individuals were shot and killed at Witsand taxi rank in Atlantis. We cannot confirm or deny that these 2 incidents are related,” said Cloete. 

Quintas noted that the City’s Safety and Security Directorate would increase visibility in the area, and that his department would work with the Western Cape Mobility Department to address this incident and broader taxi-related conflict.  

“Conflict must be managed, and I call on the Taxi Industry to take note of the sentiments of residents in the area and assist authorities  in bringing those ruining lives, disrupting and terrorizing communities and tarnishing the image of the taxi industry as a whole to book, so that they may face the full might of the law.” 

Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward as investigations continue. 

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis officially opened the newly upgraded Wesfleur Athletics Stadium in Atlantis, marking the completion of a major R31 million investment by the City of Cape Town.

The extensive upgrade included the full replacement of the tartan running track, upgrades to the steeplechase arena, triple and long jump areas, hammer throw cage and javelin facilities, as well as improved floodlighting. Repairs were also carried out on seating areas, walkways, ablution blocks and the spectator fence, while a new perimeter fence was installed.

Speaking at the launch, Mayor Hill-Lewis said the project went beyond infrastructure improvements.

“This upgrade is about far more than a new track, it’s about raising the standard of community facilities and ensuring spaces that residents can truly be proud of.”

He added that access to quality sporting facilities plays a vital role in community development.

“Facilities like this play a critical role in building safer, healthier communities. When young people have access to well-maintained, inspiring spaces for sport and recreation, it creates positive alternatives and real pathways for growth.”

The Mayor confirmed that further improvements are planned, with the Wesfleur facility earmarked as a Regional Recreation Hub in the coming years.

Councillor Higham echoed the sentiment, highlighting the role of sport in youth development and safety.

“This stadium belongs to the community, and I call on residents to use it, respect it and protect it for generations to come.”

The Wesfleur Athletics Stadium supports a range of partners, including Western Province Athletics, the Western Cape Government, sports federations, clubs and schools.

The City has also completed several other major sports facility upgrades during the current financial year, including the R30 million refurbishment of Blue Downs Athletics Stadium, a R20 million upgrade to Manenberg’s Greens Sports Ground, the R13.7 million Fisantekraal Sports Ground development, and a R27 million upgrade to Bishop Lavis Sports Ground.