The loss of the World Surf League (WSL) event from Jeffreys Bay in 2026 is a serious blow to the Eastern Cape economy, stripping the province of a flagship tourism platform and placing thousands of livelihoods at risk.
The DA will raise this matter formally in the Eastern Cape Legislature to seek clarity on why no funding commitment was secured, what efforts were made to retain the event, and what immediate steps will be taken to mitigate the economic damage.
The DA will also drive the issue of creating a coordinated provincial tourism recovery plan to support affected businesses and workers and to ensure Jeffreys Bay is properly positioned to reclaim the WSL in 2027.
This outcome follows the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s failure to confirm funding for the event. While Kouga Municipality and local stakeholders continued to support and sponsor the competition, their contributions alone were insufficient for an event of this scale. As a result, the WSL has relocated the 2026 leg to New Zealand, where government funding was secured.
The Democratic Alliance holds Minister Gayton McKenzie directly responsible for this failure. At a time when unemployment remains stubbornly high and economic growth is fragile, losing an international event of this magnitude represents a missed opportunity the Eastern Cape simply cannot afford.
Premier Mabuyane has repeatedly stated that job creation and inclusive economic growth are top provincial priorities, even setting ambitious targets to increase employment across the province.
This loss, which generates millions of rand in economic activity and supports thousands of jobs, demands action that matches these commitments.
The Premier must urgently engage national government, convene affected stakeholders, and ensure that provincial economic development plans are adapted to protect businesses and workers impacted by this funding failure.
He must also account for the lack of provincial support, as commitments from the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency also failed to materialise.
Previous WSL events have injected tens of millions of rand into the local economy, supporting accommodation providers, restaurants, informal traders, transport operators, and seasonal tourism workers. Thousands of visitors travelled to Jeffreys Bay each year for the competition, providing vital income for small businesses and families across Kouga and the wider Eastern Cape.
Major international sporting events play a critical role in attracting visitors, stimulating local economies, and showcasing the Eastern Cape on the global stage. They require strategic leadership, not silence.
Behind every cancelled booking and every quiet shop floor is a family whose income depended on this event. Government inaction should not be paid for by ordinary residents.
The people of the Eastern Cape deserve leadership that protects jobs, grows the economy, and takes responsibility when opportunities are lost. The DA remains committed to building a province grounded in dignity, opportunity, and honest government.