Western Cape Premier outlines priorities for 7th administration

Job creation, energy and water security, creating safer communities and devolving law enforcement resources and decisions, as well as improving the province’s education and healthcare systems are some of the key priorities set out by Premier Alan Winde for his administration for the next 5 years.

Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, delivered his opening address to mark the first sitting of the seventh Western Cape Provincial Parliament, on Wednesday morning.

COURTESY: WCPP - Premier Alan Winde

Winde says his cabinet will work closely with other spheres of Government, as part of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

‘’Too many times on the campaign trail residents said to me, “What’s the point in voting… why should I bother…things won’t change.” I call on each one of us here in this legislature, and in this government to make sure that over the next term we demonstrate to our residents why they matter and how, through our work, we build this province for them and for our future.’’

‘’Our rhetoric as public representatives matters. It is our duty to hold the space for difficult conversations, not further inflame them or create anxiety for our residents. I have already met with the Leader of the Official Opposition, and I look forward to many engagements with colleagues in this house. We are all here to serve the residents of this province. I expect and welcome the members of this house holding this government accountable in a respectful, manner.’’

COURTESY: WCPP

Despite the province being declared a disaster following recent storms, Winde says R1,3 billion in disaster funding is still owed by  national government

‘’We deeply appreciate the speedy classification and declaration of a provincial disaster in the wake of the destruction wreaked by the severe weather that hit the province earlier this month. But we are still owed the R1,3 billion in disaster funding for a series of floods that occurred in the province in 2023 from national government, and I will hold them to account for the funding that we need to rebuild. But we need to start working very differently as a government if we are going to withstand an increasingly erratic and unstable natural environment.’’

‘’In the immediate term I have asked the ministers and departments of Infrastructure, Agriculture, Local Government and Environmental Affairs and Development Planning to urgently identify the infrastructure, land and water sources that could be vulnerable to flooding and fires in this financial year. We must look at how we can mitigate these risks now. The town of Citrusdal has already been cut-off twice due to flooding in the last 12 months, we have lost the N2 at Bot River once and countless roads have had to be closed. I also support our Minister of Infrastructure in his engagements with the National Minister of Human Settlements to review the centralisation of the emergency housing funding model – it is taking too long to get emergency housing relief to vulnerable residents. I will also be working closely with the Premiers of the other coastal provinces to see how we can work together to develop better approaches to the impact of climate change on our residents.’’

COURTESY: WCPP

On job creation, and Winde is in the view that SMME’s will boost economic growth. When it comes to crime, and Premier Winde raised concerns about the lack of resources, once again calling for the devolution of powers.

‘’To beat back crime, we need adequate resources, which remains a serious concern for me. Our colleagues in the South African Police Service in the Western Cape are not properly resourced. The province’s police-to-population ratio sits at around one officer for every 417 residents, well below the national ratio of 1:435. When you drill down to station level the figures are even worse.’’

‘’I am encouraged that provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Ms Anroux Marais, has had positive meetings with Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Patekile and the national Minister of Police. But while I am pleased with these talks and the growing spirit of co-operative governance, I will not be satisfied until we see decentralised policing, decision-making and allocation of resources to the areas that need it the most.’’

COURTESY: WCPP

Furthermore, he announced that the MEC for Health, Education and Social Development will work together to identify where there are gaps in feeding schemes and how to fight hunger with healthy, affordable meals.

COURTESY: WCPP

‘’We have done so much already. But we cannot afford to rest and let our guard down. We must work harder than ever before, with purpose and determination, to ensure our province and citizens keep succeeding. I have no delusions about the challenges that lie ahead or the crises we may face. When I took the Premier’s oath of office 5 years ago, I swore to uphold and protect the dignity of all our residents. This has not changed. I have faith in our remarkable province and country; because I have seen firsthand what is possible when we work with purpose and dedication,’’ concluded Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde.

A debate of the Premier's address will be held on Thursday morning.

Done By: Elona Sibunzi