Winde Calls for Stronger Economy and Safer Communities to Sustain W Cape Growth

Speaking during a recent series of engagements in Cape Town, Winde stressed that job creation and safety are inseparable priorities in the province’s development strategy.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has reiterated that the province’s rapidly expanding population demands an equally strong and inclusive economy, driven by business growth, infrastructure investment, and effective crime prevention. Speaking during a recent series of engagements in Cape Town, Winde stressed that job creation and safety are inseparable priorities in the province’s development strategy.

A Province on the Move

The Premier’s engagements included visits to local enterprises and community projects that are contributing to economic expansion and social stability. “When businesses grow, so does our economy,” said Winde. “Our province’s success depends on our ability to help entrepreneurs expand and create more jobs for our residents.”

He pointed to the Western Cape’s ongoing population surge — fuelled by migration from other provinces — as a key reason for accelerating job creation, housing delivery, and public infrastructure upgrades. “With more people moving to our province, we must accelerate infrastructure development that brings residents closer to opportunities,” he said.

Empowering Local Businesses

One of the businesses Winde visited was Durbanville Tool Hire, owned by Allistair Fisher, who plans to expand his operations and increase his workforce to 30 employees. Winde commended Fisher’s determination, recalling how the company overcame difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The turnaround of this business is a testament to the resilience of the Western Cape’s private sector,” he said.

In Stikland, the Premier visited Kevin’s Coachworks, a long-standing panel beating business that has grown from three employees in 1991 to sixteen today. Winde highlighted such enterprises as vital contributors to employment growth and the revival of local economies.

Affordable, Sustainable Housing for a Growing Population

The Premier also toured an affordable housing project in Mitchells Plain, where New Age Properties is adding 50 new units to its existing 201-unit Watergate Village complex. The solar-powered development represents a new wave of future-fit, mixed-use housing — blending sustainability with affordability.

Company owner Anver Essop told the Premier that over 1 000 solar panels would soon be installed, demonstrating how renewable energy can be integrated into affordable housing models. Winde praised the initiative, noting that it aligns with the province’s commitment to environmental sustainability and inclusive development.

“This project shows what’s possible when government and business work together,” said Winde. “It brings us closer to our goal of ensuring that every resident has access to safe, affordable housing within reach of economic opportunities.”

Urban Development and Community Safety

Winde’s visit to Mitchells Plain also included a stop at a new retail development in Lentegeur, expected to employ up to 300 people once operational — on top of the hundreds of jobs created during construction. He said developments like these prove that “public-private collaboration is the engine of community upliftment.”

However, he also acknowledged that economic growth cannot thrive without safety and security. “Growth and job creation cannot thrive in communities that live in fear,” the Premier warned.

To address ongoing safety concerns, Winde met with leadership at the Mitchells Plain Police Station to discuss pressing issues including gang violence, substance abuse, resource shortages, and the need for stronger collaboration between the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP), and community safety structures.

Tackling Crime and Honouring Law Enforcement

The Premier, accompanied by Western Cape MEC of Mobility Isaac Sileku, City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith, and officials from the Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety, conducted a community walkabout with members of the Beacon Valley Neighbourhood Watch and LEAP officers.

Winde expressed deep concern over the ongoing threat of violent crime, referencing the recent murder of LEAP officer Yonke Pakade, 26, who was killed in Philippi East on 12 October 2025 after being hijacked with a colleague in Browns Farm.

“My heart goes out to Mr Pakade’s family, his colleague, and our ‘community in blue’,” Winde said. “His death is a painful reminder that those who protect us are also vulnerable. We owe it to them and to our residents to continue fighting for better police resourcing.”

A combined task team from SAPS Organised Crime, LEAP, the Khayelitsha Tactical Response Team, and the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Systems Management Unit has since arrested four suspects linked to the killing.

Building a Safer, More Prosperous Western Cape

Winde concluded his visit by reaffirming that safety and economic growth must advance together to sustain the province’s momentum. “Safety and jobs go hand in hand — both are essential for a thriving Western Cape,” he said.

The Premier added that his government will continue to strengthen collaboration between the private sector, local authorities, and community organisations to foster investment, expand job opportunities, and build safer neighbourhoods.

As the Western Cape continues to attract new residents and investors alike, Winde’s message is clear: economic growth, infrastructure renewal, and public safety must progress in unison to secure a prosperous future for all who call the province home.