Winde prioritises jobs, growth and unity in State of the Province Address

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.