President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for urgent action, collaboration, and improved accountability in the Eastern Cape, as he addressed a joint meeting between the National Executive and the Eastern Cape Provincial Executive Council at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The engagement, held on the heels of four other provincial visits as part of a broader government initiative, marks the fifth in a series of strategic consultations aimed at strengthening intergovernmental collaboration under the Government of National Unity.
“This is part of our commitment to engage with provinces on a more regular and structured basis,” said President Ramaphosa. “We want to open a new frontier for inter-governmental cooperation, one that strengthens the ecosystem of collaboration and complements platforms like the President’s Coordinating Council.”
He emphasized that these engagements are not ceremonial but are intended to drive progress on the strategic priorities of the 7th administration, which include inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and the cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.
Commending the Eastern Cape for aligning its Provincial Development Plan with these priorities, President Ramaphosa noted the province’s focus on sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, the oceans economy, digital economy, and tourism as vital growth frontiers. He welcomed the provincial government’s forthcoming presentation, which he said would serve as a roadmap for implementation.
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Challenges in Governance and Service Delivery
While acknowledging the Eastern Cape’s rich natural and economic potential—including arable land, major ports, and a strong educational base—President Ramaphosa did not shy away from highlighting the deep structural and systemic challenges the province continues to face.
“The Eastern Cape is one of the most richly endowed provinces, yet it continues to face significant obstacles,” he said. “These include the legacy of apartheid, underdevelopment, and the migrant labour system. Levels of poverty, inequality, and unemployment remain extremely high.”
He cited the 2023/24 Auditor-General’s Report, which revealed some improvements in financial oversight but also exposed severe governance shortcomings. The number of departments with clean audits had increased from five to nine, and good-quality financial statements improved significantly. However, the province also recorded the highest number of material irregularities nationally, resulting in a financial loss of R197 million, with 13 irregularities still unresolved.
“We must not only look at how funds are managed, but also how they are used,” the President said, pointing out that the Department of Education failed to meet 80% of its school infrastructure and performance targets, while the Department of Health missed over half its district service indicators.
