Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane delivered the 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA) in Bhisho on Thursday, outlining an agenda centred on service delivery reform, job creation and rebuilding public trust in provincial governance.
In a speech that confronted persistent socio-economic strain head-on, Mabuyane placed urgent focus on basic education infrastructure — particularly the eradication of unsafe sanitation in schools. He disclosed that 427 schools across the province still rely on pit toilets, calling the situation both unacceptable and dangerous.
The provincial government has committed to replacing 300 of these facilities in 2026, working alongside the national Department of Basic Education as part of an accelerated sanitation programme aimed at restoring dignity and safety in learning spaces.
“The continued use of pit toilets in our schools is unacceptable and a danger to the lives and dignity of our children. We are accelerating the eradication programme to ensure safe and proper sanitation for every learner,” Mabuyane said.
Beyond infrastructure, the address underscored the province’s urgent need for economic revival. With unemployment entrenched at crisis levels, Mabuyane outlined plans to expand skills development initiatives, strengthen support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and broaden public employment programmes.
He stressed that inclusive growth — particularly in rural communities — would be central to reversing poverty and inequality.
Tourism and infrastructure development were positioned as strategic levers for growth. Mabuyane called on Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality to intensify investment in tourism infrastructure. Planned upgrades to sporting venues, hospitality facilities and transport networks are intended to position the province to capitalise on global events, including fixtures scheduled locally during the ICC Cricket World Cup.
According to the Premier, sports and cultural tourism represent significant opportunities for job creation, economic injection and international exposure.
Politically, the address unfolded against mounting pressure for delivery. Ahead of the SOPA, the Democratic Alliance demanded clearer timelines and stronger accountability measures in tackling unemployment, crime and deteriorating public services.
In response, Mabuyane committed to strengthening monitoring systems and improving coordination between provincial departments and municipalities — a pledge aimed at shifting focus from policy promises to measurable outcomes.
In closing, the Premier called for unified action across political parties, business, labour and civil society, arguing that the province’s structural challenges cannot be resolved in isolation.
The 2026 SOPA sets out a roadmap anchored in infrastructure renewal, economic stimulation and restoring dignity to public services. The real test, however, will lie not in ambition — but in implementation.
