Premier Winde sets ambitious target to reduce unemployment to 10% in State of the Province Address

Premier Alan Winde addresses the provincial legislature during his 2026 State of the Province Address in George, emphasising the importance of job creation and economic growth in the Western Cape. Western Cape Premier Alan Winde opened his 2026 State of the Province Address in George by highlighting the pressing issue of unemployment. He reported that the current unemployment rate in the Western Cape stands at 18.1% and announced the creation of 93,000 new jobs in the last quarter.

In his address to the provincial legislature, 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. “Because nothing fixes a life like a job, nothing builds dignity like a job, nothing puts food on your table like a job and as I always say, nothing stops a bullet like a job.” 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. “Eighteen percent is just way too high,” Winde said.