The provincial government continues to invest millions of rand in small-town revitalisation initiatives across the Eastern Cape. Over the past nine years, the provincial government has invested R1.3bn in the Small-Town Revitalisation Programme to upgrade infrastructure in towns such as Dikeni, Libode and Port St Johns.

During the 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), a further R419m is being invested to develop infrastructure in a new cohort of towns. Contractors are currently on site implementing road and electrification projects in towns including Makana, Mqanduli, Cumakala, Qoboqobo and Hamburg.

These upgrades aim to make towns more attractive to investors while improving service delivery for local communities. Premier Oscar Mabuyane said the results of these interventions were already visible through increased retail sector investments across the Eastern Cape.

He said the provincial government remained a dependable development partner to municipalities and would continue implementing the Small-Town Revitalisation Programme to strengthen municipal infrastructure. Government is also making an application to the Budget Facility for Infrastructure to secure additional funding for the programme.

Dutywa has already benefited from a R350m investment through the Mbhashe Shopping Mall, which created 500 jobs and enabled residents to participate more actively in the economy. In Zwelitsha, a R200m investment led to the development of the Eyabantu Shopping Mall, creating 200 permanent jobs for local residents.

We are expecting more shopping malls to open in areas such as Ngqamakhwe, Ngcobo, Gcuwa and Ngqushwa, creating additional employment opportunities for our people,” Mabuyane said.