Social development took centre stage in the 2026 State of the Province Address as Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane unveiled an expansive programme aimed at deepening the fight against poverty, strengthening support for vulnerable groups and restoring dignity across communities. Positioning social protection as the foundation of inclusive growth, the Premier made it clear that the province s development path will be measured not only in infrastructure and investment, but in the tangible improvement of people s daily lives. Grounding his address in the constitutional values championed by the late former state President Dr Nelson Mandela, Mabuyane described social protection as the moral centre” of government s work. He stressed that building a capable and caring state requires sustained investment in the poor, the elderly, children and persons with disabilities.
The province currently invests R35 billion annually in social security measures supporting vulnerable households. In 2025 alone, 3 683 individuals received social relief during disaster periods, while thousands more benefited from food parcels, blankets, school uniforms and essential household goods distributed through partnerships with civil society and the private sector. The Premier highlighted steady progress in reducing hardship, noting a significant decline in the percentage of residents living below the food poverty line in recent years.
Food security remains one of the province s strongest interventions against poverty. Through the School Nutrition Programme, 1.5 million learners receive nutritious meals daily, while 122 000 children enrolled in Early Childhood Development centres are provided with daily meals. The large-scale feeding initiative continues to play a critical role in ensuring that children can learn and develop in healthy, supportive environments.
Healthcare services form another key pillar of the social development drive. Backed by a R7.1 billion allocation, medication distribution programmes have expanded to benefit more than 534 000 patients, including those managing chronic conditions. Mental health services reached 29 000 beneficiaries, particularly in disaster-affected districts, providing much-needed psychosocial support. Maternal health outcomes have also improved significantly, with maternal mortality declining due to strengthened clinical oversight and earlier antenatal bookings.
Access to housing remains central to restoring dignity and stability. In 2025, government delivered 4 198 housing units and 5 808 serviced sites, while 3 184 rural housing units were completed for elderly persons, people with disabilities and families affected by disasters. Following the devastating June 2025 floods, 829 temporary residential units were finalised for displaced households, with remaining units nearing completion.
Premier Mabuyane called on communities to safeguard public infrastructure, report corruption and actively participate in development initiatives. He emphasised that social development extends beyond budget allocations; it is about building a caring, inclusive society where dignity, equality and opportunity are shared by all.
