What to expect from Premier Winde’s State of the Province Address: Focus on jobs and growth

Premier Alan Winde says economic growth and job creation will be the “apex priority” in his upcoming State of the Province Address, in an exclusive interview with the Cape Argus. Premier Alan Winde says economic growth and job creation will dominate his upcoming State of the Province Address (SOPA), describing them as the Western Cape’s “apex priority”. “Because growth and jobs are our apex priority, I will be talking about the economy and what we have achieved in the last year and looking at how growth will continue to be our focus,” Winde said.

“The more we attract investment, the more entrepreneurs are able to start businesses and grow the economy, the lower our unemployment rate will become so obviously that will be a focus.” The Western Cape has consistently recorded one of the lowest unemployment rates among provinces, a statistic the provincial government frequently highlights. It has also positioned itself as a key investment destination across sectors such as technology, agriculture, renewable energy and tourism. However, structural inequality and youth unemployment remain persistent challenges, with critics arguing that economic growth has not translated evenly across communities.

Winde said success would be measured against clear indicators. “The measurable outcome would be: Has our unemployment rate dropped again? Have we built more schools and hospitals with additional classrooms and wards?

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Are we able to grow the economy, attracting investment? Is tourism able to absorb more jobs? Are we able to export more of our products?

Are entrepreneurs finding it easier to open businesses in the Western Cape than in other parts of the country? These are the measures.” Safety will be another central focus of the address. “Crime is a big issue for us,” Winde said, adding that he would outline the province’s plans within constitutional limits.

“I will talk about our own plans within the constitution and how we go further than what the constitution allows us in the safety plan and continue to talk about how we can build partnerships.” The provincial government has expanded its Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers and funded violence prevention programmes in identified hotspots. However, policing remains a national competency under the South African Police Service, and murder and gang-related violence in certain Cape Flats policing precincts have remained a concern in recent crime statistics.

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