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IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Western Cape's economic growth surges despite national challenges
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Economic Development MEC Dr Ivan Meyer say strong agricultural growth and investor confidence continue to drive the province's economy forward. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers Despite national economic challenges, the Western Cape has once again emerged as South Africa's most resilient province, posting positive GDP growth and topping the country's Business Confidence Index (BCI) rankings for the second quarter of 2025. According to newly released figures, the province's BCI dipped only slightly from 52 to 51 but remains well above Gauteng's 37 and KwaZulu-Natal's 24, as well as the national BCI of 40. The index, which measures business sentiment based on key economic indicators such as exports and energy supply, signals continued confidence in the province's economic trajectory. Premier Alan Winde and Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, credited the sustained optimism to the Western Cape's strong agricultural performance and strategic economic planning. 'Our commitment to doing everything we can to grow the economy and create jobs is showing in independently verified numbers,' said Winde. 'But we still have so much more to do. While I am pleased with these numbers, we will not relent in our commitment to ensure that more of our residents have a chance to get a job.' The province's GDP grew by 0.5% quarter-on-quarter and 0.9% year-on-year, driven largely by the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector, which surged by 15.8%. This translated into an estimated R3.12 billion increase in the provincial GDP, underscoring agriculture's vital role in economic recovery. 'Strong business confidence is not an accident,' Winde said. 'This is the result of our hard work in ensuring the Western Cape is the easiest province to do business in. It is a vital indicator of how we are faring in growing our economy to create more jobs, despite a constrained fiscal environment.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Western Cape remains the only province with positive business sentiment, attributed in large part to its Growth for Jobs (G4J) strategy. Officials say the plan prioritises job creation through private sector investment, infrastructure development, and export growth. 'Notwithstanding significant headwinds, such as the impact of global trade uncertainty, business confidence in our province remains positive. If the private sector thrives, we all thrive, and more of our residents have the chance to get a job,' Winde said. The data affirms the Western Cape's status as a beacon of economic stability in South Africa's turbulent economic landscape. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
News24
08-05-2025
- Business
- News24
Western Cape MEC's Taiwan visit unleashes opposition party fury
A heated debate unfolded in the Western Cape legislature over MEC Ivan Meyer's Taiwan trip, which led to sanctions by China. Meyer was banned from entering China, Hong Kong and Macao for violating the One China principle. Opposition parties claimed Meyer's actions risked crucial trade agreements with China. A ruckus broke out during a Western Cape legislature sitting on Thursday over MEC for Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Ivan Meyer's trip to Taiwan, which led to sanctions from China. Meyer was barred by China in December last year from entering China, Hong Kong and Macao with his family for violating the One China principle, which demands countries recognise Taiwan as part of China and avoid formal relations with Taiwan. The Chinese government further criticised Meyer's trip as interference in its internal affairs. The sanctions also prohibit meaningful economic exchanges between Meyer and Chinese citizens. Opposition parties accused Meyer of putting crucial trade agreements between China and the province in jeopardy. Leading the charge, ANC provincial leader in the legislature, Khalid Sayed, asked Premier Alan Winde whether Meyer would be held accountable. 'Whatever MEC Meyer does reflects on the position that he holds; hence, he takes an oath of office. The undeniable facts available are that the recent visit to Taiwan by MEC Meyer does in fact run the risk of jeopardising and straining the Western Cape's, and indeed South Africa's, vital diplomatic trade and investment relations with the People's Republic of China, especially considering South Africa's official foreign policy position regarding the One China policy,' he said. In response, Winde told members of the provincial legislature (MPLs) that Meyer's trip to Taiwan was not an official engagement conducted on behalf of the provincial government or any of its entities. 'It was conducted strictly in his personal and private capacity and not as a member of this government. I've been informed that at no time did MEC Meyer suggest that he made the trip as a representative of this government, nor did he attempt to suggest any endorsement of the trip on this government's behalf,' he said. Winde further said the province values its ties to the People's Republic of China. The ANC has consistently criticised the DA over Meyer's trip. Two weeks ago, the ANC caucus left the provincial legislature after its member, Rachel Windvogel, was kicked out after she refused to apologise for saying that Meyer had 'betrayed' the country by visiting Taiwan. DA MPL Benedicta van Minnen hit back at Sayed, accusing him of having 'selective amnesia'. 'Just eight days ago, the honourable member (Sayed) shared a picture on X of himself engaging with Russian representatives, recklessly risking our trade relations with Europe and the United States. Such actions threatened vital agreements like AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act), which underpin key industries and thousands of jobs. Yet today he rises to launch a frivolous and deeply inaccurate interpolation, levelling baseless accusations against MEC Meyer, ironically for the very conduct of which he himself is guilty of,' she said. Van Minnen was referring to when Sayed joined the Russian consulate for a reception on the occasion of the arrival of the iconic Kruzenshtern Russian ship in the port of Cape Town. ACDP leader Ferlon Christians accused the ANC benches of misleading the residents of the province. 'This topic is repeated, and I think the ANC is causing more damage by misleading the people. I want to say to members of this House that when they visit countries in their private capacity, they must do so. Member Windvogel must still apologise,' he said. Windvogel shouted, 'I will never do that'. GOOD party MPL Brett Herron said Meyer's foremost duty was to protect and advance the economic interests of the province. He asked: He also wondered 'what exactly happened, or how egregious his behaviour was' to have led to a ban if the MEC had visited Taiwan in a personal capacity. 'Being banned from engaging directly with Chinese officials and business representatives places MEC Meyer in a compromised position. 'It limits his ability to build relationships, attract investment, and promote trade, all of which are critical functions of his portfolio,' said Herron. Meyer was not present during the legislature sitting. Comment from him will be added once received.
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Western Cape renews MoUs to support new farmers
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) and various commodity partners have renewed their Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for another five years. This agreement will allow commodity organisations to continue supporting new farmers through advice, mentorship, training, inputs, market access, and mutual in-kind contributions. Agreements were signed with key industry bodies, including the National Wool Growers Association (NWGA), Deciduous Fruit Producers Trust (DFPT), SA Wines, South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), South African Poultry Association (SAPA), Potatoes SA, Raisins SA, Grain South Africa, Berries SA, Citrus Growers Association, South African Pork Producers Association, Red Meat Producers Association, and Rooibos Producers Association. Emphasises on strategic partnerships Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, highlighted the importance of these agreements, noting that strategic partnerships are vital for addressing the complex challenges facing the agricultural sector. 'The department has developed and nurtured strategic partnerships over several years. These partnerships complement our work and enhance the impact of our service delivery initiatives. One such initiative is the Commodity Approach, which has been an enormous success for over a decade,' Minister Meyer said. He also emphasised that the WCDoA views these partnerships as essential to tackling the challenges in agriculture, and the signing of these MoUs is a reflection of that ongoing strategy. WCDoA's focus on new farmers Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, head of the WCDoA, explained that the partnership with commodity organisations aims to foster capacity-building, mentorship, market access, and resource mobilisation to support the commercialisation of new farmers in the province. "The commodities also have the liberty to participate in the Commodity Project Allocation Committees (CPACs), which are crucial in the appraisal of farmer applications processed and oversight thereof," Dr Sebopetsa said. "With the commodity approach, the department can augment its resources by leveraging the industry's expertise, financial resources, and other assets, thus improving our service delivery to farmers." Advancing transformation Industry leaders have acknowledged the positive impact of the partnership in advancing transformation and supporting farmers' progress. Mariette Kotzé, group operations manager at Hortgro, shared the long-term success of the partnership. 'This partnership has been around since 2009. The impact has been immeasurable. It is about making a difference. But it is also about creating an enabling environment for our growers,' she said. Mecia Petersen, CEO of the South African Table Grapes Industry, which provides nearly 100,000 jobs valued at R3.78 billion annually, stressed the importance of collaboration in unlocking further value for the sector. "Our sector has enormous potential to create many more jobs. Our ability to do so becomes easier with a reliable partner such as the Western Cape Government," Petersen said. "This is aptly demonstrated through the Western Cape Government's role in improving operations at the Port of Cape Town and today's formal commitment to support the agriculture sector, which the government takes very seriously." In conclusion, Minister Meyer reiterated the importance of these strategic partnerships in the growth of the agricultural sector. "The MoUs solidify our joint commitment to transform the agricultural sector, grow the economy, and create jobs,' he concluded. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
