The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Eastern Cape welcomes the State of the Province Address by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane tabled on 26 February 2026 and subsequent Post SOPA stakeholders Engagement but believes that there are areas of improvement where much still needs to be done.
The Premier presented the SOPA, giving a detailed account on progress achieved in the period under review. He pointed out the setbacks and challenges encountered during this period as well as identifying what could be done better.
Key points in the address were covered under three broad areas.
· Reducing poverty and tackling high cost of living.
· Driving inclusive growth and Job Creation.
· Building a capable, Ethical and Developmental State.
The Premier’s address highlighted the following, among others:
Recruitment of Early Childhood Development practitioners to accelerate the roll-out of registered ECD programmes. This will enhance the much-needed strong learning foundation.
Completing construction of 25 new schools in the province in 2025. Official opening of the new state of the art Sitoza Secondary School in the deep rural areas of Dr A.B. Xuma Municipality. The Matric Class of 2025 at the school achieved 93.6 % Bachelor Pass rate. Construction of 57 more schools to be completed in 2026. This is welcomed as it will inspire more confidence to learners and teachers alike because the better the tools, the better the job.
Establishment of Renal Dialysis Unit at St Elizabeth Hospital in Ngquza Hill Municipality will benefit patients from the far north-eastern part of the province, as they would no longer travel to Mthatha for that service. Chris Hani and Sarah Baartman Regions are earmarked for the establishment of Renal Dialysis Units in the next financial year. COSATU welcomes this development and views it as a necessity in preparations for NHI roll-out.
Few sectors scored pockets of growth. The Department of Employment Labour Activation Progamme has benefited thousands of people. The unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, at 51.4%, particularly among the young people despite efforts and initiatives to create jobs. A lasting solution on the job creation front must be found as high level of youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb ready to defuse at any moment. The annual Investment Conferences are steadily contributing towards job creation. COSATU believes that government must constantly lead efforts of job creation, working with other stakeholders.
COSATU is encouraged by the government’s stance in ensuring that vulnerable groups that include women, youth and military veterans benefit from Local Procurement.
The Federation appreciates Provincial Government’s partnership with SANRAL in building roads as part of the infrastructural development in the province. This has contributed to employment creation until the end of the projects, but apart from that, it is changing the face of the provincial roads and improving our road networks.
Consistent with the reputation of being an auto manufacturing province, COSATU is motivated by the partnership between Kia Motors and Ingwe TVET College as it has enhanced access to quality engineering to young people in rural communities. This is part if advancing skills development in preparing young people for jobs in modern economy. Sectoral Education &Training Authorities (SETA’s) are playing a key role in this regard.
On a negative note, crime is on the rise. Our communities are infested with crime. A war against crime demands a close cooperation among the police, policing forums, members of the community, and other law enforcement agencies.
It is very sad that we still have 427schools with pit toilets in the province. This situation poses health and safety hazards. This is also non-compliance with Occupation al Health & Safety Act. The Federation of the workers calls upon the Provincial Government to hasten eradication of pit toilets to avoid incidents of the past to happen into the future.
We look forward to the see how budget would be allocated to support government priorities and address the plight of the working class.
Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape
Mkhawuleli Maleki (COSATU Provincial Secretary)
Mobile: 082 339 5482
Email: mkhawuleli@cosatu.org.za