The Eastern Cape is buckling under a cost-of-living crisis. In a province where nearly one in two people are unemployed, many have lost hope of ever finding work.
Instead of delivering solutions, the national government tried to push through a 2% VAT hike, a move that would have crippled families that are barely surviving. The Democratic Alliance took a stand and blocked the national budget, refusing to let ordinary South Africans pay for government failure, corruption, and wasteful spending.
But VAT hikes are not the only threat to the people of the Eastern Cape. Without economic growth, there will be no jobs. Without jobs, there will be no future.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane must deliver real action, not empty promises. First and foremost, he must eradicate non-core expenditure from provincial departments to ensure that every cent of money received goes towards servicing this province’s people.
We need investment in infrastructure projects like the uMzimvubu Dam, road and rail expansion, and digital infrastructure. These projects must move from planning to implementation to unlock agricultural, logistics, and construction jobs.
The Premier must take a zero-tolerance stance on crime. Crime is killing jobs and investment. When businesses and tourists fear for their safety, the economy suffers, and opportunities disappear. Criminal syndicates, from construction mafias to kidnapping syndicates, are driving investors away and shutting down industries.
A strong economy needs a skilled, educated workforce, yet our schools are crumbling, classrooms are overcrowded, and broken scholar transport leaves many children unable to reach the classroom. If we want young people to have a future, they need quality education, proper infrastructure, and a functioning scholar transport system. Without these, the next generation will be locked out of the job market before they even start.
The province cannot grow if workers are too sick to work or too poor to afford healthcare. Being admitted to a public hospital should not be a death sentence. If hospitals collapse, so does the workforce. Doctors and nurses must be paid on time, hospitals must be properly funded, and essential medicines must be available.
Businesses cannot survive under failing municipalities, unreliable electricity, and water shortages. The Premier must explain how he will fix local governance because no investor will put money into a province that cannot keep the lights on or provide clean water.
The DA welcomes the pro-growth agenda announced at the national level, but this must translate into measurable change in the Eastern Cape.
Where the DA governs, the economy grows, businesses thrive, and people find jobs. Kouga Municipality proves that strong governance, infrastructure investment, and public-private partnerships create an investment-friendly environment that benefits businesses and communities alike.
The people of the Eastern Cape deserve more than survival. They deserve jobs, dignity, and the opportunity to build a better future. This province has been left behind for too long. Now is the time for action, investment, and real solutions.