GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,
Unite for Change Leadership Council Member & GOOD Secretary-General
23 February 2026
The Western Cape’s carefully curated spin that it is exceptionally well-led and performing exceptionally well in comparison to other provinces is fraying at the edges.
Crime is out of control, with the culture of gangsterism more entrenched than ever. It’s become normal for the Western Cape’s education outcomes to flounder in the middle of the pack, and the unsustainable housing shortage has reached critical proportions.
Premier Winde has a history of glossing over these crises, which largely impact citizens of colour, blaming them on the national government, and presenting the abnormal disparities in people’s everyday lives as normal – but he’s running out of time to present real solutions.
It’s time for the Premier to step beyond the old speaking notes and demonstrate that the province has a plan to prioritise transparency, accountability, and meaningful delivery.
Blaming the culture of crime and gangsterism on the police, because the police are a function of the national government, simply doesn’t cut it anymore, 32 years into democracy. The police are not responsible for inequalities and undignified living conditions, or for the lack of social interventions and programmes to develop pride and self-esteem in communities. Those are responsibilities of Winde’s provincial government.
The nonsense about building an expensive crime wall on the N2 must be rejected with the contempt that building walled ghettoes deserves. Walls contribute nothing to fixing broken and divided communities. Their long-term value in addressing the causes of violent crime is zero. Winde must announce evidence-based solutions rather than interventions that echo a past South Africa.
Winde must specifically take citizens into his confidence about the real failures and successes, if any, of the province’s Safety Plan. Why is a Version 2 of the plan being worked on without any public review or acknowledgement of the failure of Version 1?
Where does the deployment of the army fit into the framework? If there is a reduction in crime over the coming weeks, will it be thanks to the army, improvements in SAP’s operations, or the province’s safety plan? Does Winde hope that the army will be deployed in the province forever?
Housing
The undignified conditions in which millions of citizens live, without decent shelter, are not just a housing crisis. It contributes directly to anti-social behaviour and crime.
Winde must provide concrete details on how and where houses are being built, how backlogs are being reduced, and how new developments are contributing to spatial justice rather than reinforcing historical inequalities.
For far too many people, access to decent housing remains totally out of reach. Vague commitments simply don’t cut it.
Education
For several years, the Western Cape has been lagging in the middle of the pack when it comes to education outcomes. Last year, the province scrapped thousands of teachers’ posts. The matric results showed that children in no-fee schools perform worse than those in fee-paying schools. In other words, children of colour continue to receive inferior education opportunities in the Western Cape.
This points to deeper challenges in literacy, numeracy, learner support, infrastructure, and teacher development, especially in under-resourced communities. A credible plan to improve learning outcomes must be a central feature of the upcoming address.
What will Winde say about this? The odds are: Nothing.
South African politics is rapidly evolving, and Winde and his merry men and women, with their “better than the other provinces” jingle, are running out of time. SOPA 2026 must move beyond broad statements and political messaging. It must present clear timelines, measurable targets, and firm commitments on safety, housing, and education.
These are not abstract policy areas; they are fundamental to dignity, opportunity, social justice and peace.
Media Enquiries: media@forgood.org.za