In today’s State of the Province Address, Thami Ntuli, will address youth unemployment, infrastructure development, and attract domestic and international investment to boost the provincial economy.
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KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli will today deliver his much-anticipated State of the Province Address (SOPA), marking his second address since taking office.
Ntuli will deliver his speech in Pietermaritzburg at the Woodburn Rugby Stadium.
The speech will outline the provincial government’s key priorities for 2026, focusing on economic growth, infrastructure development, and the building of a capable, ethical, and accountable state.
The Premier’s constitutionally required address comes at a time when the province grapples with high unemployment levels, especially among youth and women.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has stated that today’s speech will focus heavily on creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities in critical sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and rural economies.
The government aims to support small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) through skills development initiatives and public-private partnerships to drive sustainable job creation.
“As part of the government’s vision for inclusive economic growth, the Premier will outline a series of measures aimed at addressing the unemployment crisis and boosting key sectors of the economy,” the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government said in a statement.
Infrastructure development will be another central theme of the Premier’s speech. The provincial government is committed to tackling the province’s infrastructure challenges, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads, healthcare facilities, schools, and water and sanitation systems.
These investments, the government asserts, will stimulate local economic growth and improve service delivery to communities across KwaZulu-Natal.
“Through strategic infrastructure development, we aim to enhance service delivery, create jobs, and attract much-needed investment into the province,” the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government added.
Ntuli is also expected to focus on crime prevention strategies. According to the government, improving safety and security in communities will remain a priority, with a particular emphasis on ensuring safe learning environments in schools.
This includes strengthening cooperation between law enforcement, community structures, civil society, and the private sector.
In line with the government’s focus on stimulating economic growth, the Premier will outline efforts to attract both domestic and international investment.
These include reducing regulatory barriers and making it easier for businesses to operate in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as promoting key economic hubs and corridors across the province.
The address will also touch on ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration, a significant issue for the province.
''The Premier will further report on ongoing interventions to address illegal immigration in collaboration with national authorities and relevant stakeholders.
''These efforts are aimed at ensuring compliance with immigration laws, protecting lawful economic participation, and safeguarding employment opportunities for residents of the province.''
The KZN provincial government said the 2026 SOPA will provide an account of progress made while outlining decisive and measurable actions for the year ahead, underscoring its commitment to accountability, service excellence, and inclusive prosperity for all citizens of KwaZulu-Natal.
Meanwhile, Francois Rodgers, leader of the DA in the KZN Legislature, has called on Ntuli to address the issue of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which continues to threaten the province’s agricultural sector.
Rodgers stated that the DA expects the Premier to provide a clear, actionable FMD protocol in today’s address.
“Our province’s continued exposure to FMD – and the devastating effects thereof – must see Premier Ntuli outline a detailed FMD protocol, for now and into the future,” said Rodgers.
Rodgers also emphasised the urgency of implementing the provincial financial recovery plan to create jobs and boost business confidence.
“There is no time to waste,” he said, adding that job creation should be a central focus in the government’s economic agenda.
Additionally, Rodgers called for greater accountability and transparency in provincial governance.
“The DA wants to see the Premier focus on building a capable state through consequence and accountability within all spheres of provincial government,” he said.
Rodgers also advocated for the overhaul of provincial IT systems to improve efficiency in government operations.
He reiterated his party’s commitment to tackling failures in governance and urged the Premier to prioritise service delivery.
Rodgers called for the implementation of lifestyle audits for senior provincial and municipal officials, saying this was crucial to eliminating corruption.
“We need an effective strategy to deal with local government intervention by the province, along with consequences for failures,” he added.
“The needs of KZN’s people are not complex,” said Rodgers.
“They want a government that works for them. They want a province where they are safe, and they want access to real jobs.”
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