Latest news with #Winde
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
How Western Cape is leading the charge in renewable energy
The Western Cape is positioning itself as a significant player in South Africa's renewable energy sector, as Premier Winde acknowledged the contributions of independent power producers (IPPs) such as Red Rocket to the province's energy resilience efforts. Premier Winde hosted Matteo Brambilla, CEO of Cape Town-based energy firm Red Rocket, during a special 'on-the-road' edition of the province's weekly energy digicon. The event was held at the company's head office, where Winde toured its state-of-the-art 'Command Centre', a digital hub that tracks real-time energy generation across Red Rocket's renewable projects stretching from the Western Cape to Uganda. Winde said the Western Cape Energy Resilience Programme aims to support the private sector and municipalities in generating a reliable and affordable supply of energy.
Eyewitness News
25-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says province is reaping the rewards of targeted crime-fighting strategies
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape premier Alan Winde said that the province is reaping the rewards of targeted crime-fighting strategies, pointing to a steady decline in murder rates as evidence. Responding to the newly released national crime statistics, Winde highlighted ongoing progress in historically high-crime areas such as Nyanga, Delft, Philippi East, and Khayelitsha. ALSO READ: The Western Cape has now recorded its fourth consecutive quarterly decrease in murder cases. Winde attributes much of this success to the law enforcement advancement plan, or LEAP, which has bolstered the police presence in hotspot communities. "Both Minister Marais and I are encouraged by the consecutive decrease in the western cape's murder rate. We saw a further 4% decrease in overall murder rates of the western cape for the fourth quarter; this follows the 7.9% decrease in quarter three and the 8.7% decrease in quarter two."
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Western Cape Premier welcomes 2025 budget compromises amid financial concerns
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde discuss the impact of the national Budget on the Western Cape. The Western Cape Government has cautiously welcomed the 2025 national budget, highlighting relief over the avoidance of a VAT hike but expressing concern over ongoing fiscal pressures that threaten essential services. Premier Alan Winde described the budget process as 'difficult and contentious' but acknowledged that key compromises had been made to shield struggling South Africans from further financial strain. 'We are relieved that key compromises have been made and that already over-burdened citizens will be spared from the punishing VAT hike proposed in the previous two budget frameworks,' said Winde. 'Our province and country need a budget that fast-tracks economic reforms, cuts wasteful expenditure, and reprioritises spending towards economic growth and job creation.'
Eyewitness News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Winde welcomes labour survey showing WC has lowest unemployment rate
CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has welcomed the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, which shows the province has the lowest unemployment rate in South Africa. The survey indicates an unemployment rate of 19.6% in quarter one of 2025 for the Western Cape. The data shows the province's official unemployment rate is below 20% for the third consecutive quarter. Winde said the Western Cape created 120,000 new jobs year on year. "That is four times greater than the next province on the list, and that was Gauteng, which created 30,000 jobs... And South Africa as a whole gained only 43,000 jobs. So really impressive results coming from the economy here in the Western Cape." Winde said it was important for the province's economy to flourish. "Because that is how we bring real change for our citizens and give them hope that there is a future, whether you are still at school, you can see a future for yourself. Whether you're an entrepreneur, there's a place that you can take risks and start a business that's going to find success." Winde also thanked and congratulated the businesses which created jobs in the province. ALSO READ: Unemployment increased to 32.9% in Q1 - Stats SA
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
'More people have a chance of getting a job here' - Western Cape leads SA with lowest unemployment rate
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde discusses the province's economic growth strategies. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers The Western Cape has once again cemented its position as South Africa's leading province in job creation, recording the lowest unemployment rate in the country for the first quarter of 2025. According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), the Western Cape's official unemployment rate stands at 19.6%, the only province with an unemployment rate below 20% for the third consecutive quarter. Premier Alan Winde welcomed the figures, describing them as a sign that the province's economic policies are producing results. 'In this province, you are more likely to get a job. More people have a chance of getting a job here than anywhere in South Africa,' he said. The Western Cape also outperformed all other provinces in key labour metrics, including the Expanded Unemployment Rate at 24.7%, Absorption Rate at 56.0%, and Labour Force Participation Rate at 69.6%. The province recorded the highest year-on-year job creation, adding 121,000 jobs, four times more than Gauteng's 30,000 jobs and nearly triple the national total of 43,000. 'These latest numbers are once again a clear indication that the Western Cape Government's approach to growing the province's economy is working,' Winde said. 'For yet another quarter, the Western Cape has managed to keep its unemployment rate below 20%. This provides the strongest proof yet that our renewed efforts to grow the economy and create jobs are having the desired effect.' Despite the positive trends, Winde acknowledged the ongoing challenge of unemployment. 'Unfortunately, unemployment remains a stubborn issue. We will, however, not let up in implementing our economic growth strategies to keep driving down unemployment in our province. There is still much more work to do,' he added. The Premier stressed the human impact of job creation, saying, 'Every job we help create adds value to our economy and restores dignity to our residents. Every job represents the hard work we all put in every day to make a difference in our province.' Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, highlighted that this is one of the lowest Q1 unemployment rates for the province since 2009. 'The number of 'not economically active individuals' in the province has decreased by 42,000, suggesting that people are re-entering the labour force (either finding employment or actively seeking it). This is all positive and augurs well for the Western Cape Government's goal to grow the economy to R1 trillion by 2035, creating thousands of jobs,' Meyer said. The province also welcomed national moves to relax competition regulations in the ports and rail sector, a decision by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, seen as crucial to improving logistics and economic performance. 'Initiatives such as the provincial government's Growth for Jobs plan and Operation Vulindlela are aimed at attracting more private sector participation,' said Winde. 'It is encouraging to see these kinds of policies increasingly being adopted by the national government. As these reforms begin to take effect, we look forward to taking advantage of a healthier national economy to further push down our unemployment rate.' IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
