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In his 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA), Premier Zamani Saul prioritised headline-grabbing “mega projects” over the urgent task of fixing what is deteriorating in the Northern Cape, without presenting anything fundamentally new, different or decisive to turn this province around.

The announced oncology unit in Namaqualand raises a simple question - who will staff it? Nearly R900 million is being invested in upgraded facilities and additional beds in new health facilities, yet existing beds cannot be operationalised and surgery backlogs addressed due to severe staff shortages. Infrastructure without doctors, nurses and specialists does not improve healthcare.

In education, while protecting teaching posts is welcome, the Premier avoided confronting the financial mismanagement within the Northern Cape Department of Education. Schools are still waiting for funds meant for hostels, maintenance, textbooks and stationery. This is not a funding crisis, it is a governance failure.

Tourism recovery was highlighted through big events like marathons and skateboarding competitions, but sustainable growth requires functional infrastructure. The pothole-ridden access road to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park deters visitors. Similarly, while R3.5 billion is earmarked for the Vaalputs Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility, access roads remain neglected. Investment cannot start at the gate and roads cannot be repaired when half the grader fleet is broken.

On jobs, seasonal gains continue to mask instability. The reported 17 000 jobs created in late 2025 were quickly overshadowed by the liquidation of Ekapa Mine, costing approximately 3 500 jobs. Without reliable electricity, water, refuse removal and road maintenance, SMMEs also cannot expand and permanent employment will remain out of reach.

Social grants remain a necessary safety net and are not an economic strategy. Grants provide relief but jobs provide dignity.

The Premier speaks of a solar park in Upington while the Upington Industrial Park underperforms. Collaboration with Transnet on the Boegoebay project is praised, while major rail constraints near Kamfers Dam in Kimberley persist due to sewerage spillage in Sol Plaatje municipality.

The Premier further implies that the Northern Cape is becoming safer. Yet communities across the province face daily safety challenges while we do not have enough police officers, detectives or basic resources to respond effectively to crime.

If the Premier is serious about clean governance, lifestyle audits must start at the top, beginning with himself and his Executive. Accountability cannot be selective.

The people of the Northern Cape deserve competent governance, real jobs, infrastructure that works and services that deliver. Until what is broken is fixed, every mega project and ambitious promise will continue to ring hollow.

Issued by Isak Fritz, MPL - DA Northern Cape Provincial Leader