Western Cape Premier Alan Winde presented his State of the Province Address in George on 25 February, highlighting political instability and urging voters to choose wisely ahead of municipal elections. The speech addressed recent defections in the area and service delivery disparities across municipalities. Opposition parties criticized the address for being overly partisan.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde delivered his State of the Province Address at the Conville Community Hall in George on Wednesday, 25 February. The event occurred amid recent turmoil in the Garden Route region, including a water crisis and political defections that have affected local councils.
George has experienced significant upheaval, with three Democratic Alliance (DA) ward councillors resigning to join the Patriotic Alliance. This shift compelled the DA to form a coalition with the Freedom Front Plus and the African Christian Democratic Party. As one of 16 hung councils following the 2021 local government elections, George serves as a bellwether municipality ahead of polls expected later this year.
During the address, Winde emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections. He stated, “Please cast your vote wisely,” prompting jeers from opposition parties and applause from DA members. He highlighted stark differences in municipal service delivery, noting, “You can be in one town where rubbish is collected, leaks are fixed, roads are maintained, and the lights are on. You drive 60km, and you’re in a different town, which resembles a war zone — rubbish everywhere, water leaks in every street and in some cases, no water in taps for weeks on end.”
Winde also referenced the nearby hung council in Knysna, led by the African National Congress and Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners, where the Patriotic Alliance withdrew support in 2025, exacerbating a water crisis.
DA chief whip Gillion Bosman commented that the premier underscored local government's role in service provision and dignity, pointing to instability in councils like George as a preview for the elections.
In response, African National Congress opposition leader Khalid Sayed expressed disappointment, saying the speech was too focused on 2026 politics rather than uniting the province. He suggested Winde should have advocated for collaboration in hung municipalities to ensure stability.
Among other announcements, Winde expanded the Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme to George, aiding residents in areas like Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp with transport costs for interviews. On crime, he welcomed the South African National Defence Force deployment but called it an admission of South African Police Service leadership failures.
