Thulisile Mapongwana
Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has outlined a series of practical interventions aimed at improving the everyday lives of residents.
Delivering his State of the Province Address at the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, Mabuyane focused on reforms that directly impact households, learners and working families.
One of the most urgent commitments is the eradication of pit toilets in schools.
The province plans to eliminate 300 pit toilets in 2026 as part of ongoing infrastructure upgrades, with more than 50 new schools also scheduled for completion this year.
The move follows years of safety concerns linked to unsafe sanitation facilities.
The Premier further announced that 430 schools will receive infrastructure upgrades, maintenance or improvements as part of efforts to stabilise the education system.
The province maintained an 84% matric pass rate in 2025 — ranking third nationally in bachelor passes.
Mabuyane said improving infrastructure is key to sustaining education outcomes and reducing inequality.
The government is also intensifying investigations into teenage pregnancies due to sexual abuse by teachers in schools.
He confirmed that departments are working to understand root causes and strengthen interventions, including health education, community awareness and accountability measures.
Teen pregnancy remains a major driver of school dropouts in the province.
Mabuyane says 430 cases are currently under police investigation.
The Premier also referenced the rapid growth of online shopping and delivery platforms such as Temu and Uber Eats.
He said the government is exploring ways to integrate township entrepreneurs into digital supply chains and last-mile delivery systems, including support for delivery drivers, logistics and digital skills.
While unemployment and poverty remain high, Mabuyane framed these interventions as part of a broader strategy to reduce inequality and improve quality of life.
Reaction to the address has been mixed.
Meanwhile, Vicky Knoetze of the Democratic Alliance says while there were “a few exceptional things” in the speech, it lacked urgency.
“There was a lot of focus on spending and inflation… and that is really disappointing.”
She says the party expected stronger commitments on job creation and service delivery.
“We wanted real commitments about jobs and the economy of the Eastern Cape — and of course the elephant in the room, which is service delivery.”
Knoetze noted that an estimated 79-thousand people lost their jobs in the province over the past year.
She also raised concerns about basic services.
“That means they are not actually even aiming to eradicate all pit toilets.”
She added that despite the figures presented, about 20% of residents still lack access to running water.
“Thirty-one percent of our people still rely on pit toilets. So we are still a very long way from eradicating that.”
Speaking to the EFF’s decision to not attend the address, Knoetze says opposition parties attend SOPA to ensure accountability.
“How can we effectively challenge what is being said… if we do not come here and listen to the commitments being made?”
The African Transformation Movement has also criticised the address.
Spokesperson Zama Ntshona says it fails to address the real conditions facing residents.
“The facts on the ground are that 42% of the people in the country are unemployed, with the expanded definition sitting at 61%.”
He also raised concerns about health and education infrastructure.
“How is there no turnaround strategy tabled here today?”
Ntshona claims the health department owes SMMEs about R3.5-billion and that 80% of education infrastructure projects remain incomplete.
He described the address as “another lullaby… to justify incompetence”.
Meanwhile, the Border-Kei Chamber of Business described the speech as broadly positive.
Executive Director Lizelle Maurice welcomed the focus on agriculture and agro-processing.
“It was very positive, much like the SONA. We are encouraged by the focus on agriculture, agro-processing, and economic growth.”
However, she warned that crime remains a concern and urged the government to ensure commitments translate into outcomes.
“There is always a gap between promises and reality — and with the highest unemployment rates, we must ensure we are building a real economy.”
Maurice also called for stricter controls on imports in the automotive sector.
“Manufacturers must come and build here from scratch. Manufacturing creates jobs — we cannot rely on cheap imports that undermine local industry.”
Commenting on the address, Buffalo City Metro Mayor Princess Faku struck a more optimistic tone.
She acknowledged the role of Mercedes-Benz South Africa in supporting jobs and called for further investment.
“We must attract more businesses into the sector because investment means job creation.”
Faku says the city is preparing for future opportunities and working with partners to improve infrastructure and support emerging industries.
“Our focus is to empower people in townships and rural areas to participate in the economy — whether through small businesses, logistics or delivery services.”
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government will host a 2026 Post-SOPA Stakeholder Engagement tomorrow at the Eastern London International Convention Centre (ELICC).
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