By Charmaine Ndlela
The Eastern Cape government says it will intensify skills development through targeted investments and strategic partnerships aimed at preparing young people for work in a modern economy.
Delivering his 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Bhisho on Thursday, Premier Oscar Mabuyane said the province remains committed to stimulating economic growth and tackling poverty and inequality.
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“Our province continues to work tirelessly to stimulate economic growth and push back against poverty and inequality,” he said.
However, Mabuyane acknowledged the grim picture painted by the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey.
“We must confront the sobering reality reflected in the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey results. Unemployment increased in our province when we lost 32,000 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025,” he said.
Despite the losses, he pointed to sectors that showed resilience.
“Even though we lost jobs, a few sectors showed pockets of growth. The trade sector made the biggest positive contribution, adding 23,000 jobs as activity picked up towards year-end,” he said.
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“Utilities also grew by 6,000 jobs, a notable rise given its small size, and private households added around 1,000 jobs, showing a slight recovery in domestic work.”
He conceded that these gains were not enough to offset significant losses in agriculture, finance and other sectors but said they demonstrated resilience in an otherwise weak employment quarter.
Outlining the province’s economic priorities, Mabuyane said: “Our focus is on skills transfer, entrepreneurship, integrating digital skills, the green economy and artisan training.”
He revealed that thousands are already benefiting from employment programmes.
“As we speak, about 14,696 people in the Eastern Cape are benefiting from the Labour Activation Programme of the Department of Employment and Labour,” he said, adding that the province aims to onboard a further 8,300 participants in 2026.
He also said 28,479 young people are participating in the Basic Education Employment Initiative.
Infrastructure development remains central to job creation, he said.
“Our priority is to ensure that every infrastructure project in the Eastern Cape creates jobs and business opportunities for local enterprises.”
More than 7,500 people are employed on road infrastructure projects, including 3,400 young people, he added. Support provided to MSMEs and cooperatives by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation has yielded 2,939 jobs.
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In a bid to strengthen the township economy, Mabuyane announced plans to partner with digital platforms, organised business and municipalities.
“More people are now using platforms such as Uber Eats, Takealot and Temu to buy goods. In partnership with digital platforms, organised business and municipalities, we will train, license, equip and onboard young people as last-mile delivery operators,” he said.
The Premier also announced reforms to public employment programmes.
“We are repurposing the Expanded Public Works Programme to empower our people with trade skills such as bricklaying, plumbing, welding and carpentry,” he said.
In 2025, public employment programmes implemented by government departments and municipalities created more than 103,000 work opportunities, benefiting mostly women and young people.
The provincial government said it remains committed to building an inclusive economy that creates sustainable jobs and empowers communities through skills development and enterprise support.
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