Northern Cape Shows Solid Progress in Service Delivery and Infrastructure Development

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Northern Cape Provincial Whip, Mr Patrick Mabilo, has expressed deep appreciation for the positive developments made in the province since the previous oversight visit.

Mr Mabilo is leading an NCOP delegation during the annual NCOP Provincial Week, which began yesterday at the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature. The week-long programme affords permanent NCOP delegates an opportunity to conduct oversight in their respective provinces, tracking progress on recommendations made during previous visits and assessing service delivery outcomes.

The highlight of the programme was a visit to the Sol Plaatje Municipality, where the delegation inspected the R2,5 billion Riverton Water Treatment Plant – a major infrastructure project aimed at ensuring quality water supply to the citizens of the municipality.

“We received a comprehensive report from the municipality, led by the Mayor, the Municipal Manager and the City Engineer, who explained the advanced multi-million-rand technology being used at the treatment plant. Once complete, this project will have a multiplier effect in terms of massive investment, infrastructure development and economic activity – because without water, there can never be any progress,” said Mr Mabilo, adding that the project will benefit local economic participation with 33 local small to medium enterprises (SMMEs) benefiting from the project.

He further commended the municipality for documenting all the processes for future generations, research, and public access, adding that the project also includes sanitation improvements.

Mr Mabilo emphasised the need for all government departments to strictly adhere to the 30-day payment policy in order for SMMEs to be able to sustain their businesses. He said it was also important to ensure that women, youth and people living with disabilities participate in the economy of the province.

During yesterday’s engagement, the delegation received a consolidated provincial progress report delivered by Northern Cape Leader of Government Business, Mr Bentley Vass, who briefed the NCOP delegation on behalf of Premier Dr Zamani Saul, who tendered his apology.

Mr Vass reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening service delivery, accelerating development and unlocking the full social and economic potential of the province. Among the key areas of progress since 2016 highlighted by Mr Vass was the investment of over R4,2 billion in water and sanitation infrastructure through 222 projects. He said according to Census 2022, the investment has positioned the province as the third-highest province in terms of household water services and fourth in terms of access to flush toilets.

Other key progress areas include: the drop in the province’s unemployment rate to 28,7% in quarter 2 of 2026, marking the strongest quarterly reduction among all provinces; there were no adverse audit opinions as all municipalities submitted financial statements and underwent the audit process during the 2022/23 and 2024/25 financial years; and the Northern Cape Investment Jobs Conference, held in April 2026, secured R105,3 billion investment pledgers, creating 19 800 jobs, with a target to grow the provincial GDP to R200 billion and create 60 000 additional jobs by 2030.

The delegation also received comprehensive reports from the Department of Public Works, Health, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs, the Office of the Auditor General (on the provincial audit outlook) and the Department of Water and Sanitation.

Per Kind Favour of APO

Africa Fact: Mali in the 14th century was highly urbanised. Sergio Domian, an Italian art and architecture scholar, wrote the following about this period: “Thus was laid the foundation of an urban civilisation. At the height of its power, Mali had at least 400 cities, and the interior of the Niger Delta was very densely populated”.