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
NSFAS accuses former board member of stealing laptops meant for needy schools 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 6th August 2026 In a significant move towards organisational accountability, employees of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme have officially opened a... →
NSFAS opens a case of theft against former board member
6th August 2026 Today, employees of the National Student Fund Aid Scheme (NSFAS) opened a case of theft against former board member for stealing laptops earmarked... →
IEC shifts focus to election day as it records over 700 000 new voters
By: Thabi Shomolekae 3rd August 2026 The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has officially shifted its full attention to final election day preparations following what it describes... →
SAHRC report must trigger province-wide wastewater intervention
27th July 2026 The South African Human Rights Commission’s investigative report into recreational water quality and wastewater infrastructure failures, tabled... →
Ramaphosa promises action against criminality in water sector as govt launches reforms
By: Thabi Shomolekae 27th July 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged swift and firm action against criminal networks and corrupt individuals benefiting from irregular water... →
An action plan to end the water crisis once and for all
27th July 2026 Dear Fellow South African, Last week, I spoke about our commitment to give effect to the constitutional right of access to water for all South... →
SA’s anti-immigration movement raises the stakes on social media
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 24th July 2026 Vigilante videos, AI-generated content and Mandela-linked framing are fuelling millions of mentions and xenophobic sentiment. With weekly... →
DA submits water crisis dossier to NMB Mayor and Minister of Water and Sanitation
23rd July 2026 The Democratic Alliance has submitted a dossier detailing the extent of the water crisis in Nelson Mandela Bay to Mayor Babalwa Lobishe, the... →
National Water Access Acceleration Programme officially launched
By: Natasha Odendaal 20th July 2026 South Africa has launched the National Water Access Acceleration Programme, through the decentralised water supply schemes, amid the need to expand... →
Operation PROSPER deals heavy blow to illicit mining, organised crime
By: Thabi Shomolekae 17th July 2026 In a massive nationwide crackdown, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have intensified... →
