Premier Alan Winde revealed that the agricultural sector in the Western Cape plays a vital role in South Africa’s economy during the State of the Province Address on Wednesday, reports Cape {town} Etc.
With agriculture and agri-processing together accounting for approximately 21% of national employment, Winde reported an impressive recovery, with over 250,000 jobs created in the past year—an increase of 9% from the previous year.
Winde emphasised the province’s responsiveness to global markets, noting that the Department of Agriculture, led by Minister Ivan Meyer, has expanded exports to 78 countries, with the Western Cape now responsible for 58% of South Africa’s agricultural exports.
Among the success stories highlighted was Montseng Taste Buds, a local business that has flourished with the support of the Department’s incubation programme and its partnership with Makers Landing at the V&A Waterfront.
Environmental initiatives were also a key focus. Premier Winde announced that the ecological infrastructure project has rehabilitated 16,000 hectares of land, substantially augmenting the region’s water supply capabilities. ‘This is equivalent to the capacity of the Berg River Dam,’ he stated.
However, the Premier acknowledged looming challenges, particularly biosecurity threats like Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), which pose a significant risk to provincial agriculture and the broader economy.
In response, Winde welcomed the classification of FMD as a disaster, detailing measures including the establishment of vehicle checkpoints across thirteen municipalities.
With 12,000 vaccines already administered and an additional 30,000 doses on the way, he assured that efforts would intensify to protect the province’s herd.
Winde underscored the vital link between job creation and economic growth, revealing that the province saw 93,000 new jobs created in the last quarter bringing unemployment down to 18.1%, the lowest in South Africa.
He passionately illustrated the impact of these jobs on everyday lives: ‘Nothing fixes a life like a job, nothing builds dignity like a job, and nothing puts food on the table like a job,’
Notably, 22,000 of the newly created jobs were in agriculture, while construction and manufacturing also saw significant gains with 22,000 and 13,000 jobs, respectively.
The Premier attributed this growth to entrepreneurship and strong governance, reporting a 55% increase in small business registrations since 2022—a stark contrast to the national average of 18%.
The Western Cape Government continues to play an integral role in supporting businesses through initiatives like the SME Accelerator Support programme, which aids over 200 businesses in becoming funding ready.
The recent launch of the TechTalks series, which has helped 150 businesses adopt innovative technologies, signifies ongoing efforts to foster a thriving business environment.
Winde also highlighted substantial investments in infrastructure to revive the logistics sector, mentioning initiatives to bolster the efficiency of the Port of Cape Town and expand the role of freight rail networks.
‘Functional public transport supports growth and jobs,’ he said, announcing plans to extend the successful Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme into George, aiding those seeking employment across the region.
As part of the province’s ambitious investment strategy, Winde revealed five major projects nearing financial close, totalling R3.16 billion across various sectors, including green hydrogen and solar energy. As investments continue to pour into municipalities, the Premier reiterated his commitment to creating further opportunities, stating, ‘We are the jobs province,’
Winde concluded the address by inviting investors and innovators to contribute to the Western Cape’s growth story, emphasising the remarkable transformation of both urban and rural areas driven by significant economic progress and community investment.
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Picture: Gallo Images / Ziyaad Douglas
