Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa, situated on the country's south-eastern coast. Its capital is Bhisho, though the province's largest cities are Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and East London. The Eastern Cape is the second-largest province by area and has a population of approximately seven-million people. The province's economy is anchored by manufacturing, particularly automotive production in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro, agriculture, forestry and tourism. It is home to significant citrus and livestock farming, as well as extensive forestry plantations. The Eastern Cape also holds substantial renewable-energy potential, with wind and solar projects increasingly contributing to the energy mix. Infrastructure development, including water projects such as the Mzimvubu Water Project, is central to addressing service-delivery challenges and unlocking economic growth. The province faces persistent socioeconomic challenges, including high unemployment and poverty rates, alongside infrastructure backlogs in rural areas. Governance is vested in a provincial legislature and executive council. The Eastern Cape is culturally significant as the birthplace of many anti-apartheid leaders, including Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, and remains a key region in South Africa's political and economic landscape.
Eastern Cape Updates
Happening in Parliament this week
8th June 2026 This week’s parliamentary programme features the 50th Anniversary Intergenerational Dialogue on the June 16 uprising. Among other highlights are a... →
Questions raised over frequent-flyer Mabuyane’s latest trip as the EC economy remains grounded
By: Reza Creamer 3rd June 2026 Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s latest overseas investment mission to Italy and Greece raises serious questions about why the province is paying for... →
SA: Blade Nzimande: address by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, on the occasion of the handover of the Peter Mokaba Primary School Media Lab, Moloto Township, Mpumalanga (28/05/2026)
2nd June 2026 Let me begin by highlighting the importance of the facility we are launching today. This media lab forms part of our Department’s Strategic... →
SA: Siviwe Gwarube: Address by Basic Education Minister, on the Basic Education Dept Budget Vote 2026/27 (26/05/2026)
29th May 2026 The question before this House today is whether the implementation of this Budget Vote helps more children like Nelson receive the strong... →
SA: John Steenhuisen: Adress by Minister of Agriculture, at the Hortgro Symposium 2026 with theme “Growing Forward in a Changing World”, Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West (25/05/2026)
26th May 2026 This is an industry that operates at the frontline of change. It deals daily with shifting climate conditions, increasingly complex export... →
DA demands urgent action after African swine fever outbreak in Nelson Mandela Bay
26th May 2026 The reported outbreak of African swine fever in the Grogro informal settlement in Sherwood, Gqeberha, has raised serious concerns about animal... →
ActionSA welcomes Court ruling ordering urgent intervention in Eastern Cape water crisis
25th May 2026 ActionSA welcomes the ruling by the Eastern Cape High Court in Mthatha last week which confirmed that the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy... →
Gauteng remains S Africa’s corruption epicentre – Corruption Watch 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 25th May 2026 Nonprofit organisation Corruption Watch on Monday noted a persistent crisis of governance across multiple sectors, with local government and public... →
Committee on education seeks clarity around circumstances of principal shooting in Ngcobo
25th May 2026 The Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries has written to the Eastern Cape Education MEC to seek clarity on a shooting... →
Premier Mabuyane must account as Eastern Cape flood damage bill climbs past R1.5 billion
21st May 2026 The Eastern Cape government must urgently account for the status of its flood damage assessments, disaster funding applications, and emergency road... →
