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.
Image: Bertram Malgas /WCPP Media Liaison Officer
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.
"Eighteen percent is something that no politician should celebrate ... but in our country and in our province, unemployment is a big issue for so many people.”
He said the next target is to reduce unemployment to 10%.
Winde broke down where the jobs were created.
He said 48,000 were in trade, including hospitality, 22,000 in agriculture, 22,000 in construction and 13,000 in manufacturing.
He linked these figures to workers across towns in the province, saying employment brings income and stability to households.
He also pointed to growth in small businesses.
Since 2022, he said, the number of small businesses in the province has increased by 143,119, which he described as a 55% rise compared to 18% growth nationally.
Winde said the provincial government supports business growth by cutting red tape and providing targeted assistance.
He said the province’s Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises accelerator programme, which partners with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, has supported more than 200 businesses with funding readiness and linked 115 to funders over the past two years.
Winde said growth and jobs remain the province’s “apex priority”.
His annual address is currently under way.
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